α-amlase mutants

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to a variant of a parent Termamyl-like alpha-amylase, which exhibits an alteration in at least one of the following properties relative to said parent alpha-amylase: i) improved pH stability at a pH from 8 to 10.5; and/or ii) improved Ca2+ stability at pH 8 to 10.5, and/or iii) increased specific activity at temperatures from 10 to 60° C.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. 119 of Danish application Ser. Nos. 1240/97 filed Oct. 30, 1997 and PA1998 00936 filed on Jul. 14, 1998, and U.S. Provisional application serial Nos. 60/064,662 filed on Nov. 6, 1997 and 60/093,234 filed on Jul. 17, 1998, the contents of which are fully incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to variants (mutants) of parent Termamyl-like α-amylases with higher activity at medium temperatures and/or high pH.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

α-Amylases (α-1,4-glucan-4-glucanohydrolases, EC 3.2.1.1) constitute a group of enzymes which catalyze hydrolysis of starch and other linear and branched 1,4-glucosidic oligo- and polysaccharides.

There is a very extensive body of patent and scientific literature relating to this industrially very important class of enzymes. A number of α-amylases such as Termamyl-like α-amylases variants are known from e.g. WO 90/11352, WO 95/10603, WO 95/26397, WO 96/23873 and WO 96/23874.

Among more recent disclosures relating to α-amylases, WO 96/23874 provides three-dimensional, X-ray crystal structural data for a Termamyl-like α-amylase which consists of the 300 N-terminal amino acid residues of the B. amyloliquefaciens α-amylase (BAN™) and amino acids 301-483 of the C-terminal end of the B. licheniformis α-amylase comprising the amino acid sequence (the latter being available commercially under the tradename Termamyl™), and which is thus closely related to the industrially important Bacillus α-amylases (which in the present context are embraced within the meaning of the term “Termamyl-like α-amylases”, and which include, inter alia, the B. licheniformis, B. amyloliquefaciens (BAN™) and B. stearothermophilus (BSG™) α-amylases). WO 96/23874 further describes methodology for designing, on the basis of an analysis of the structure of a parent Termamyl-like α-amylase, variants of the parent Termamyl-like α-amylase which exhibit altered properties relative to the parent.

BRIEF DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to novel α-amylolytic variants(mutants) of a Termamyl-like α-amylase which exhibit improved wash performance (relative to the parent α-amaylase) at high pH and at a medium temperature.

The term “medium temperature” means in the context of the invention a temperature from 10° C. to 60° C., preferably 20° C. to 50° C., especially 30-40° C.

The term “high pH” means the alkaline pH which today are used for washing, more specifically from about pH 8 to 10.5.

In the context of the invention a “low temperature α-amylase” means an α-amylase which has an relative optimum activity in the temperature range from 0-30° C.

In the context of the invention a “medium temperature α-amylase” means an α-amylase which has an optimum activity in the temperature range from 30-60° C. For instance, SP690 and SP722 α-amaylases, respectively, are “medium temperature α-amylases.”

In the context of the invention a “high temperature α-amylase” is an α-amylase having the optimum activity in the temperature range from 60-110° C. For instance, Termamyl is a “high temperature α-amylase.

Alterations in properties which may be achieved in variants(mutants) of the invention are alterations in: the stability of the Termamyl-like α-amylase at a pH from 8 to 10.5, and/or the Ca²⁺ stability at pH 8 to 10.5, and/or the specific activity at temperatures from 10 to 60° C., preferably 20-50° C., especially 30-40° C.

It should be noted that the relative temperature optimum often is dependent on the specific pH used. In other words the relative temperature optimum determined at, e.g., pH 8 may be substantially different from the relative temperature optimum determined at, e.g., pH 10.

The temperature's Influence on the Enzymatic Activity

The dynamics in the active site and surroundings are dependent on the temperature and the amino acid composition and of strong importance for the relative temperature optimum of an enzyme. By comparing the dynamics of medium and high temperature α-amylases, regions of importance for the function of high temperature α-amylases at medium temperatures can be determined. The temperature activity profile of the SP722 α-amaylase (SEQ ID NO: 2) and the B. licheniformis α-amylase (available from Novo Nordisk as Termamyl®) (SEQ ID NO: 4) are shown in FIG. 2.

The relative temperature optimum of SP722 in absolute activities are shown to be higher at medium range temperatures (30-60° C.) than the homologous B. licheniformis α-amylase, which have an optimum activity around 60-100° C. The profiles are mainly dependent on the temperature stability and the dynamics of the active site residues and their surroundings. Further, the activity profiles are dependent on the pH used and the pKa of the active site residues.

In the first aspect the invention relates to a variant of a parent Termamyl-like α-amylase, which variant has α-amylase activity, said variant comprises one or more mutations corresponding to the following mutations in the amino acid sequence shown in SEQ ID NO: 2:

T141, K142, F143, D144, F145, P146, G147, R148, G149,

Q174, R181, G182, D183, G184, K185, A186, W189, S193, N195,

H107, K108, G109,D166, W167, D168, Q169, S170, R171, Q172, F173,

F267, W268, K269, N270, D271, L272, G273, A274, L275, K311, E346,

K385, G456, N457, K458, P459, G460, T461, V462, T463.

A variant of the invention have one or more of the following substitutions or deletions:

T141A,D,R,N,C,E,Q,G,H,I,L,K,M,F,P,S,W,Y,V;

K142A,D,R,N,C,E,Q,G,H,I,L,M,F,P,S,T,W,Y,V;

F143A,D,R,N,C,E,Q,G,H,I,L,K,M,P,S,T,W,Y,V;

D144A,R,N,C,E,Q,G,H,I,L,K,M,F,P,S,T,W,Y,V;

F145A,D,R,N,C,E,Q,G,H,I,L,K,M,P,S,T,W,Y,V;

P146A,D,R,N,C,E,Q,G,H,I,L,K,M,F,S,T,W,Y,V;

G147A,D,R,N,C,E,Q,H,I,L,K,M,F,P,S,T,W,Y,V;

R148A,D,N,C,E,Q,G,H,I,L,K,M,F,P,S,T,W,Y,V;

G149A,D,R,N,C,E,Q,H,I,L,K,M,F,P,S,T,W,Y,V;

R181*,A,D,N,C,E,Q,c,H,I,L,K,M,F,P,S,T,W,Y,V;

G182*,A,D,R,N,C,E,Q,H,I,L,K,M,F,P,S,T,W,Y,V;

D183*,A,R,N,C,E,Q,G,H,I,L,K,M,F,P,S,T,W,Y,V;

G184*,A,R,D,N,C,E,Q,H,I,L,K,M,F,P,S,T,W,Y,V;

K185A,D,R,N,C,E,Q,G,H,I,L,M,F,P,S,T,W,Y,V;

A186D,R,N,C,E,Q,G,H,I,L,K,M,F,P,S,T,W,Y,V;

W189A,D,R,N,C,E,Q,G,H,I,L,K,M,F,P,S,T,Y,V;

S193A,D,R,N,C,E,Q,G,H,I,L,K,M,F,P,T,W,Y,V;

N195A,D,R,C,E,Q,G,H,I,L,K,M,F,P,S,T,W,Y,V;

H107A,D,R,N,C,E,Q,G,I,L,K,M,F,P,S,T,W,Y,V;

K108A,D,R,N,C,E,Q,G,H,I,L,M,F,P,S,T,W,Y,V;

G109A,D,R,N,C,E,Q,H,I,L,K,M,F,P,S,T,W,Y,V;

D166A,R,N,C,E,Q,G,H,I,L,K,M,F,P,S,T,W,Y,V;

W167A,D,R,N,C,E,Q,G,H,I,L,K,M,F,P,S,T,Y,V;

D168A,R,N,C,E,Q,G,H,I,L,K,M,F,P,S,T,W,Y,V;

Q169A,D,R,N,C,E,G,H,I,L,K,M,F,P,S,T,W,Y,V;

S170A,D,R,N,C,E,Q,G,H,I,L,K,M,F,P,T,W,Y,V;

R171A,D,N,C,E,Q,G,H,I,L,K,M,F,P,S,T,W,Y,V;

Q172A,D,R,N,C,E,G,H,I,L,K,M,F,P,S,T,W,Y,V;

F173A,D,R,N,C,E,Q,G,H,I,L,K,M,P,S,T,W,Y,V;

Q174*A,D,R,N,C,E,G,H,I,L,K,M,F,P,S,T,W,Y,V;

F267A,D,R,N,C,E,Q,G,H,I,L,K,M,P,S,T,W,Y,V;

W268A,D,R,N,C,E,Q,G,H,I,L,K,M,F,P,S,T,Y,V;

K269A,D,R,N,C,E,Q,G,H,I,L,M,F,P,S,T,W,Y,V;

N270A,D,R,C,E,Q,G,H,I,L,K,M,F,P,S,T,W,Y,V;

D271A,R,N,C,E,Q,G,H,I,L,K,M,F,P,S,T,W,Y,V;

L272A,D,R,N,C,E,Q,G,H,I,K,M,F,P,S,T,W,Y,V;

G273A,D,R,N,C,E,Q,G,H,I,L,M,F,P,S,T,W,Y,V;

A274D,R,N,C,E,Q,G,H,I,L,K,M,F,P,S,T,W,Y,V;

L275A,D,R,N,C,E,Q,G,H,I,K,M,F,P,S,T,W,Y,V;

K311A,D,R,N,C,E,Q,G,H,I,L,M,F,P,S,T,W,Y,V;

E346A,D,R,N,C,Q,G,H,I,K,L,M,F,P,S,T,W,Y,V;

K385A,D,R,N,C,E,Q,G,H,I,L,M,F,P,S,T,W,Y,V;

G456A,D,R,N,C,E,Q,H,I,L,K,M,F,P,S,T,W,Y,V;

N457A,D,R,C,E,Q,G,H,I,L,K,M,F,P,S,T,W,Y,V;

K458A,D,R,N,C,E,Q,G,H,I,L,M,F,P,S,T,W,Y,V;

P459A,D,R,N,C,E,Q,G,H,I,L,K,M,F,S,T,W,Y,V;

G460A,D,R,N,C,E,Q,H,I,L,K,M,F,P,S,T,W,Y,V;

T461A,D,R,N,C,E,Q,G,H,I,L,K,M,F,P,S,W,Y,V;

V462A,D,R,N,C,E,Q,G,H,I,L,K,M,F,P,S,T,W,Y;

T463A,D,R,N,C,E,Q,G,H,I,L,K,M,F,P,S,W,Y,V.

Preferred are variants having one or more of the following substitutions or deletions:

K142R; S193P; N195F; K269R,Q; N270Y,R,D; K311R; E346Q; K385R;

K458R; P459T; T461P; Q174*; R181Q,N,S; G182T,S,N; D183*; G184*;

K185A,R,D,C,E,Q,G,H,I,L,M,N,F,P,S,T,W,Y,V; A186T,S,N,I,V,R;

W189T,S,N,Q.

Especially preferred are variants having a deletion in positions D183 and G184 and further one or more of the following substitutions or deletions:

K142R; S193P; N195F; K269R,Q; N270Y,R,D; K311R; E346Q; K385R;

K458R; P459T; T461P; Q174*; R181Q,N,S; G182T,S,N;

K185A,R,D,C,E,Q,G,H,I,L,M,N,F,P,S,T,W,Y,V; A186T,S,N,I,V,R;

W189T,S,N,Q.

The variants of the invention mentioned above exhibits an alteration in at least one of the following properties relative to the parent α-amylase:

i) improved pH stability at a pH from 8 to 10.5; and/or

ii) improved Ca²⁺ stability at pH 8 to 10.5, and/or

iii) increased specific activity at temperatures from 10 to 60° C., preferably 20-50° C., especially 30-40° C. Further, details will be described below.

The invention further relates to DNA constructs encoding variants of the invention; to methods for preparing variants of the invention; and to the use of variants of the invention, alone or in combination with other enzymes, in various industrial products or processes, e.g., in detergents or for starch liquefaction.

In a final aspect the invention relates to a method of providing α-amylases with altered pH optimum, and/or altered temperature optimum, and/or improved stability.

Nomenclature

In the present description and claims, the conventional one-letter and three-letter codes for amino acid residues are used. For ease of reference, α-amylase variants of the invention are described by use of the following nomenclature: Original amino acid(s):position(s):substituted amino acid(s)

According to this nomenclature, for instance the substitution of alanine with asparagine in position 30 is shown as:

Ala30Asn or A30N a deletion of alanine in the same position is shown as:

Ala30* or A30* and insertion of an additional amino acid residue, such as lysine, is shown as:

Ala30AlaLys or A30AK

A deletion of a consecutive stretch of amino acid residues, such as amino acid residues 30-33, is indicated as (30-33)* or Δ(A30-N33).

Where a specific α-amylase contains a “deletion” in comparison with other α-amylases and an insertion is made in such a position this is indicated as:

*36Asp or *36D

for insertion of an aspartic acid in position 36 Multiple mutations are separated by plus signs, i.e.:

Ala30Asp+Glu34Ser or A30N+E34S

representing mutations in positions 30 and 34 substituting alanine and glutamic acid with asparagine and serine, respectively.

When one or more alternative amino acid residues may be inserted in a given position it is indicated as

A30N,E or

A30N or A30E

Furthermore, when a position suitable for modification is identified herein without any specific modification being suggested, it is to be understood that any amino acid residue may be substituted for the amino acid residue present in the position. Thus, for instance, when a modification of an alanine in position 30 is mentioned, but not specified, it is to be understood that the alanine may be deleted or substituted for any other amino acid, i.e., any one of:

R,N,D,A,C,Q,E,G,H,I,L,K,M,F,P,S,T,W,Y,V.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

FIG. 1 is an alignment of the amino acid sequences of six parent Termamyl-like α-amylases. The numbers on the extreme left designate the respective amino acid sequences as follows:

1: SEQ ID NO: 2

2: Kaoamyl

3: SEQ ID NO: 1

4: SEQ ID NO: 5

5: SEQ ID NO: 4

6: SEQ ID NO: 3.

FIG. 2 shows the temperature activity profile of SP722 (SEQ ID NO: 2) (at pH 9) and B. licheniformis α-amylase (SEQ ID NO: 4) (at pH 7.3).

FIG. 3 shows the temperature profile for SP690 (SEQ ID NO: 1), SP722 (SEQ ID NO: 2), B. licheniformis α-amylase (SEQ ID NO: 4) at pH 10.

FIG. 4 is an alignment of the amino acid sequences of five α-amylases. The numbers on the extreme left designate the respective amino acid sequences as follows:

1: amyp_mouse

2: amyp_rat

3: amyp_pig porcine pancreatic alpha-amylase (PPA)

4: amyp_human

5: amy_altha A. haloplanctis alpha-amylase (AHA)

DETAILED DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

The Termamyl-like α-amylase

It is well known that a number of α-amylases produced by Bacillus spp. are highly homologous on the amino acid level. For instance, the B. licheniformis α-amylase comprising the amino acid sequence shown in SEQ ID NO:. 4 (commercially available as Termamyl™) has been found to be about 89% homologous with the B. amyloliquefaciens α-amylase comprising the amino acid sequence shown in SEQ ID NO: 5 and about 79% homologous with the B. stearothermophilus α-amylase comprising the amino acid sequence shown in SEQ ID NO: 3. Further homologous α-amylases include an α-amylase derived from a strain of the Bacillus sp. NCIB 12289, NCIB 12512, NCIB 12513 or DSM 9375, all of which are described in detail in WO 95/26397, and the α-amylase described by Tsukamoto et al., Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications, 151 (1988), pp. 25-31, (see SEQ ID NO: 6).

Still further homologous α-amylases include the α-amylase produced by the B. licheniformis strain described in EP 0252666 (ATCC 27811), and the α-amylases identified in WO 91/00353 and WO 94/18314. Other commercial Termamyl-like B. licheniformis α-amylases are comprised in the products OptitherM™ and Takatherm™ (available from Solvay), Maxamyl™ (available from Gist-brocades/Genencor), Spezym AA™ and Spezyme Delta AA™ (available from Genencor), and Keistase™ (available from Daiwa)

Because of the substantial homology found between these α-amylases, they are considered to belong to the same class of α-amylases, namely the class of “Termamyl-like α-amylases”.

Accordingly, in the present context, the term “Termamyl-like α-amylase” is intended to indicate an α-amylase which, at the amino acid level, exhibits a substantial homology to Termamyl™, i.e., the B. licheniformis α-amylase having the amino acid sequence shown in SEQ ID NO:4 herein. In other words, all the following α-amylases which has the amino acid sequences shown in SEQ ID NOS: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 or 8 herein, or the amino acid sequence shown in SEQ ID NO: 1 of WO 95/26397 (the same as the amino acid sequence shown as SEQ ID NO: 7 herein) or in SEQ ID NO: 2 of WO 95/26397 (the same as the amino acid sequence shown as SEQ ID NO: 8 herein) or in Tsukamoto et al., 1988, (which amino acid sequence is shown in SEQ ID NO: 6 herein) are considered to be “Termamyl-like α-amylase”. Other Termamyl-like α-amylases are α-amylases i) which displays at least 60%, such as at least 70%, e.g., at least 75%, or at least 80%, e.g., at least 85%, at least 90% or at least 95% homology with at least one of said amino acid sequences shown in SEQ ID NOS: 1-8 and/or ii) displays immunological cross-reactivity with an antibody raised against at least one of said α-amylases, and/or iii) is encoded by a DNA sequence which hybridizes to the DNA sequences encoding the above-specified α-amylases which are apparent from SEQ ID NOS: 9, 10, 11, or 12 of the present application (which encoding sequences encode the amino acid sequences shown in SEQ ID NOS: 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 herein, respectively), from SEQ ID NO: 4 of WO 95/26397 (which DNA sequence, together with the stop codon TAA, is shown in SEQ ID NO: 13 herein and encodes the amino acid sequence shown in SEQ ID NO: 8 herein) and from SEQ ID NO: 5 of WO 95/26397 (shown in SEQ ID NO: 14 herein), respectively.

In connection with property i), the “homology” may be determined by use of any conventional algorithm, preferably by use of the GAP progamme from the GCG package version 7.3 (June 1993) using default values for GAP penalties, which is a GAP creation penalty of 3.0 and GAP extension penalty of 0.1, (Genetic Computer Group (1991) Programme Manual for the GCG Package, version 7, 575 Science Drive, Madison, Wis., USA 53711).

A structural alignment between Termamyl (SEQ ID NO: 4) and a Termamyl-like α-amylase may be used to identify equivalent/corresponding positions in other Termamyl-like α-amylases. One method of obtaining said structural alignment is to use the Pile Up programme from the GCG package using default values of gap penalties, i.e., a gap creation penalty of 3.0 and gap extension penalty of 0.1. Other structural alignment methods include the hydrophobic cluster analysis (Gaboriaud et al., (1987), FEBS LETTERS 224, pp. 149-155) and reverse threading (Huber, T; Torda, AE, PROTEIN SCIENCE Vol. 7, No. 1 pp. 142-149 (1998).

Property ii) of the α-amylase, i.e., the immunological cross reactivity, may be assayed using an antibody raised against, or reactive with, at least one epitope of the relevant Termamyl-like α-amylase. The antibody, which may either be monoclonal or poly-clonal, may be produced by methods known in the art, e.g., as described by Hudson et al., Practical Immunology, Third edition (1989), Blackwell Scientific Publications. The immunological cross-reactivity may be determined using assays known in the art, examples of which are Western Blotting or radial immunodiffusion assay, e.g., as described by Hudson et al., 1989. In this respect, immunological cross-reactivity between the α-amylases having the amino acid sequences SEQ ID NOS: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, or 8, respectively, has been found.

The oligonucleotide probe used in the characterisation of the Termamyl-like α-amylase in accordance with property iii) above may suitably be prepared on the basis of the full or partial nucleotide or amino acid sequence of the α-amylase in question. Suitable conditions for testing hybridisation involve pre-soaking in 5×SSC and prehybridizing for 1 hour at ˜40° C. in a solution of 20% formamide, 5×Denhardt's solution, 50 mM sodium phosphate, pH 6.8, and 50 mg of denatured sonicated calf thymus DNA, followed by hybridisation in the same solution supplemented with lOOmM ATP for 18 hours at ˜40° C., followed by three times washing of the filter in 2×SSC, 0.2% SDS at 40° C. for 30 minutes (low stringency), preferred at 50° C. (medium stringency), more preferably at 65° C. (high stringency), even more preferably at ˜75° C. (very high stringency). More details about the hybridisation method can be found in Sambrook et al., Molecular Cloning: A Laboratory Manual, 2nd Ed., Cold Spring Harbor, 1989.

In the present context, “derived from” is intended not only to indicate an α-amylase produced or producible by a strain of the organism in question, but also an α-amylase encoded by a DNA sequence isolated from such strain and produced in a host organism transformed with said DNA sequence. Finally, the term is intended to indicate an α-amylase which is encoded by a DNA sequence of synthetic and/or cDNA origin and which has the identifying characteristics of the α-amylase in question. The term is also intended to indicate that the parent α-amylase may be a variant of a naturally occurring α-amylase, i.e. a variant which is the result of a modification (insertion, substitution, deletion) of one or more amino acid residues of the naturally occurring α-amylase.

Parent Hybrid α-amylases

The parent α-amylase (i.e., backbone α-amylase) may be a hybrid α-amylase, i.e., an α-amylase which comprises a combination of partial amino acid sequences derived from at least two α-amylases.

The parent hybrid α-amylase may be one which on the basis of amino acid homology and/or immunological cross-reactivity and/or DNA hybridization (as defined above) can be determined to belong to the Termamyl-like α-amylase family. In this case, the hybrid α-amylase is typically composed of at least one part of a Termamyl-like α-amylase and part(s) of one or more other α-amylases selected from Termamyl-like α-amylases or non-Termamyl-like α-amylases of microbial (bacterial or fungal) and/or mammalian origin.

Thus, the parent hybrid α-amylase may comprise a combination of partial amino acid sequences deriving from at least two Termamyl-like α-amylases, or from at least one Termamyl-like and at least one non-Termamyl-like bacterial α-amylase, or from at least one Termamyl-like and at least one fungal α-amylase. The Termamyl-like α-amylase from which a partial amino acid sequence derives may, e.g., be any of those specific Termamyl-like α-amylase referred to herein.

For instance, the parent α-amylase may comprise a C-terminal part of an α-amylase derived from a strain of B. licheniformis, and a N-terminal part of an α-amylase derived from a strain of B. amiyloliquefaciens or from a strain of B. stearothermophilus. For instance, the parent α-amylase may comprise at least 430 amino acid residues of the C-terminal part of the B. licheniformis α-amylase, and may, e.g., comprise a) an amino acid segment corresponding to the 37 N-terminal amino acid residues of the B. amiyloliquefaciens α-amylase having the amino acid sequence shown in SEQ ID NO: 5 and an amino acid segment corresponding to the 445 C-terminal amino acid residues of the B. licheniformis α-amylase having the amino acid sequence shown in SEQ ID NO: 4, or a hybrid Termamyl-like α-amylase being identical to the Termamyl sequence, i.e., the Bacillus licheniformis α-amylase shown in SEQ ID NO: 4, except that the N-terminal 35 amino acid residues (of the mature protein) has been replaced by the N-terminal 33 residues of BAN (mature protein), i.e., the Bacillus amyloliquefaciens α-amylase shown in SEQ ID NO: 5; or b) an amino acid segment corresponding to the 68 N-terminal amino acid residues of the B. stearothermophilus α-amylase having the amino acid sequence shown in SEQ ID NO: 3 and an amino acid segment corresponding to the 415 C-terminal amino acid residues of the B. licheniformis α-amylase having the amino acid sequence shown in SEQ ID NO: 4.

Another suitable parent hybrid α-amylase is the one previously described in WO 96/23874 (from Novo Nordisk) constituting the N-terminus of BAN, Bacillus amyloliquefaciens α-amylase (amino acids 1-300 of the mature protein) and the C-terminus from Termamyl (amino acids 301-483 of the mature protein). Increased activity was achieved by substituting one or more of the following positions of the above hybrid Q-amylase (BAN:1-300/Termamyl:301-483): Q360, F290, and N102. Particularly interesting substitutions are one or more of the following substitutions: Q360E,D; F290A,C,D,E,G,H,I,K,L,M,N,P,Q,R,S,T; N102D,E;

The corresponding positions in the SP722 α-amylase shown in SEQ ID NO: 2 are one or more of: S365, Y295, N106. Corresponding substitutions of particular interest in said α-amylase shown in SEQ ID NO: 2 are one or more of: S365D,E; Y295 A,C,D,E,G,H,I,K,L,M,N,P,Q,R,S,T; and N106D,E.

The corresponding positions in the SP690 α-amylase shown in SEQ ID NO: 1 are one or more of: S365, Y295, N106. The corresponding substitutions of particular interest are one or more of: S365D,E; Y295 A,C,D,E,G,H,I,K,L,M,N,P,Q,R,S,T; N106D,E.

The above mentioned non-Termamyl-like α-amylase may, e.g., be a fungal α-amylase, a mammalian or a plant α-amylase or a bacterial α-amylase (different from a Termamyl-like α-amylase). Specific examples of such α-amylases include the Aspergillus oryzae TAKA α-amylase, the A. niger acid α-amylase, the Bacillus subtilis α-amylase, the porcine pancreatic α-amylase and a barley α-amylase. All of these α-amylases have elucidated structures which are markedly different from the structure of a typical Termamyl-like α-amylase as referred to herein.

The fungal α-amylases mentioned above, i.e., derived from A. niger and A. oryzae, are highly homologous on the amino acid level and generally considered to belong to the same family of α-amylases. The fungal α-amylase derived from Aspergillus oryzae is commercially available under the tradename Fungamyl™.

Furthermore, when a particular variant of a Termamyl-like α-amylase (variant of the invention) is referred to—in a conventional manner—by reference to modification (e.g., deletion or substitution) of specific amino acid residues in the amino acid sequence of a specific Termamyl-like α-amylase, it is to be understood that variants of another Termamyl-like α-amylase modified in the equivalent position(s) (as determined from the best possible amino acid sequence alignment between the respective amino acid sequences) are encompassed thereby.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention the α-amylase backbone is derived from B. licheniformis (as the parent Termamyl-like α-amylase), e.g., one of those referred to above, such as the B. licheniformis α-amylase having the amino acid sequence shown in SEQ ID NO: 4.

Altered Properties of Variants of the Invention

The following discusses the relationship between mutations which are present in variants of the invention, and desirable alterations in properties (relative to those a parent Termamyl-like α-amylase) which may result therefrom.

Improved Stability at pH 8-10.5

In the context of the present invention, mutations (including amino acid substitutions) of importance with respect to achieving improved stability at high pH (i.e., pH 8-10.5) include mutations corresponding to mutations in one or more of the following positions in SP722 α-amylase (having the amino acid sequence shown in SEQ ID NO: 2): T141, K142, F143, D144, F145, P146, G147, R148, G149, R181, A186, S193, N195, K269, N270, K311, K458, P459, T461.

The variant of the invention have one or more of the following substitutions (using the SEQ ID NO: 2 numbering):

T141A,D,R,N,C,E,Q,G,H,I,L,K,M,F,P,S,W,Y,V;

K142A,D,R,N,C,E,Q,G,H,I,L,M,F,P,S,T,W,Y,V;

F143A,D,R,N,C,E,Q,G,H,I,L,K,M,P,S,T,W,Y,V;

D144A,R,N,C,E,Q,G,H,I,L,K,M,F,P,S,T,W,Y,V;

F145A,D,R,N,C,E,Q,G,H,I,L,K,M,P,S,T,W,Y,V;

P146A,D,R,N,C,E,Q,G,H,I,L,K,M,F,S,T,W,Y,V;

G147A,D,R,N,C,E,Q,H,I,L,K,M,F,P,S,T,W,Y,V;

R148A,D,N,C,E,Q,G,H,I,L,K,M,F,P,S,T,W,Y,V;

G149A,D,R,N,C,E,Q,H,I,L,K,M,F,P,S,T,W,Y,V;

K181A,D,R,N,C,E,Q,G,H,I,L,M,F,P,S,T,W,Y,V;

A186D,R,N,C,E,Q,G,H,I,L,P,K,M,F,S,T,W,Y,V;

S193A,D,R,N,C,E,Q,G,H,I,L,K,M,F,P,T,W,Y,V;

N195A,D,R,C,E,Q,G,H,I,L,K,M,F,P,S,T,W,Y,V;

K269A,D,R,N,C,E,Q,G,H,I,L,M,F,P,S,T,W,Y,V;

N270A,D,R,C,E,Q,G,H,I,L,K,M,F,P,S,T,W,Y,V;

K311A,D,R,N,C,E,Q,G,H,I,L,M,F,P,S,T,W,Y,V;

K458A,D,R,N,C,E,Q,G,H,I,L,M,F,P,S,T,W,Y,V;

P459A,D,R,N,C,E,Q,G,H,I,L,K,M,F,S,T,W,Y,V;

T461A,D,R,N,C,E,Q,G,H,I,L,K,M,F,P,S,W,Y,V.

Preferred high pH stability variants include one or more of the following substitutions in the SP722 α-amylase (having the amino acid sequence shown in SEQ ID NO: 2):

K142R, R181S, A186T, S193P, N195F, K269R, N270Y, K311R, K458R, P459T and T461P.

In specific embodiments the Bacillus strain NCIB 12512 α-amylase having the sequence shown in SEQ ID NO: 1, or the B. stearothermophilus α-amylase having the sequence shown in SEQ ID NO: 3, or the B. licheniformis α-amylase having the sequence shown in SEQ ID NO: 4, or the B. amyloliquefaciens α-amylase having the sequence shown in SEQ ID NO: 5 is used as the backbone, i.e., parent Termamyl-like α-amylase, for these mutations.

As can been seen from the alignment in FIG. 1 the B. stearothermophilus α-amylase already has a Tyrosine at position corresponding to N270 in SP722. Further, the Bacillus strain NCIB 12512 α-amylase, the B. stearothermophilus α-amylase, the B. licheniformis α-amylase and the B. amyloliquefaciens α-amylase already have Arginine at position corresponding to K458 in SP722. Furthermore, the B. licheniformis α-amylase already has a Proline at position corresponding to T461 in SP722. Therefore, for said α-amylases these substitutions are not relevant.

α-amylase variants with improved stability at high pH can be constructed by making substitutions in the regions found using the molecular dynamics simulation mentioned in Example 2. The simulation depicts the region(s) that has a higher flexibility or mobility at high pH (i.e., pH 8-10.5) when compared to medium pH.

By using the structure of any bacterial alpha-amylase with homology (as defined below) to the Termamyl-like α-amylase (BA2), of which the 3D structure is disclosed in Appendix 1 of WO 96/23874 (from Novo Nordisk), it is possible to modelbuild the structure of such alpha-amylase and to subject it to molecular dynamics simulations. The homology of said bacterial α-amylase may be at least 60%, preferably be more than 70%, more preferably more than 80%, most preferably more than 90% homologous to the above mentioned Termamyl-like α-amylase (BA2), measured using the UWGCG GAP program from the GCG package version 7.3 (June 1993) using default values for GAP penalties [Genetic Computer Group (1991) Programme Manual for the GCG Package, version 7, 575 Science Drive, Madison, Wis., USA 53711]. Substitution of the unfavorable residue for another would be applicable.

Improved Ca²⁺ Stability at pH 8-10.5

Improved Ca stability means the stability of the enzyme under Ca²⁺ depletion has been improved. In the context of the present invention, mutations (including amino acid substitutions) of importance with respect to achieving improved Ca²⁺ stability at high pH include mutation or deletion in one or more positions corresponding to the following positions in the SP722 α-amylase having the amino acid sequence shown in SEQ ID NO: 2: R181, G182, D183, G184, K185, A186, W189, N195, N270, E346, K385, K458, P459.

A variant of the invention have one or more of the following substitutions or deletions:

R181*,A,D,N,C,E,Q,G,H,I,L,K,M,F,P,S,T,W,Y,V;

G182*,A,D,R,N,C,E,Q,H,I,L,K,M,F,P,S,T,W,Y,V;

D183*,A,R,N,C,E,Q,G,H,I,L,K,M,F,P,S,T,W,Y,V;

G184*,A,R,D,N,C,E,Q,H,I,L,K,M,F,P,S,T,W,Y,V;

K185A,D,R,N,C,E,Q,G,H,I,L,M,F,P,S,T,W,Y,V;

A186D,R,N,C,E,Q,G,H,I,L,K,M,F,P,S,T,W,Y,V;

W189A,D,R,N,C,E,Q,G,H,I,L,K,M,F,P,S,T,Y,V;

N195A,D,R,C,E,Q,G,H,I,L,K,M,F,P,S,T,W,Y,V;

N270A,R,D,N,C,E,Q,H,I,L,K,M,F,P,S,T,W,Y,V;

E346A,R,D,N,C,Q,G,H,I,L,K,M,F,P,S,T,W,Y,V;

K385A,R,D,N,C,E,Q,G,H,I,L,M,F,P,S,T,W,Y,V;

K458A,R,D,N,C,E,Q,G,H,I,L,M,F,P,S,T,W,Y,V;

P459A,R,D,N,C,E,Q,G,H,I,L,K,M,F,S,T,W,Y,V.

Preferred are variants having one or more of the following substitutions or deletions:

R181Q,N; G182T,S,N; D183*; G184*;

K185A,R,D,C,E,Q,G,H,I,L,M,N,F,P,S,T,W,Y,V; A186T,S,N,I,V;

W189T,S,N,Q; N195F, N270R,D; E346Q; K385R; K458R; P459T.

In specific embodiments the Bacillus strain NCIB 12512 α-amylase having the sequence shown in SEQ ID NO: 1, or the B. amyloliquefaciens α-amylase having the sequence shown in SEQ ID NO: 5, or the B. licheniformis α-amylase having the sequence shown in SEQ ID NO: 4 are used as the backbone for these mutations.

As can been seen from the alignment in FIG. 1 the B. licheniformis α-amylase does not have the positions corresponding to D183 and G184 in SP722. Therefore for said α-amylases these deletions are not relevant.

In a preferred embodiment the variant is the Bacillus strain NCIB 12512 α-amylase with deletions in D183 and G184 and further one of the following substitutions: R181Q,N and/or G182T,S,N and/or D183*; G184* and/or K185A,R,D,C,E,Q,G,H,I,L,M,N,F,P,S,T,W,Y,V and/or A186T,S,N,I,V and/or W189T,S,N,Q and/or N195F and/or N270R,D and/or E346Q and/or K385R and/or K458R and/or P459T.

Increased Specific Activity at Medium Temperature

In a further aspect of the present invention, important mutations with respect to obtaining variants exhibiting increased specific activity at temperatures from 10-60° C., preferably 20-50° C., especially 30-40° C., include mutations corresponding to one or more of the following positions in the SP722 α-amylase having the amino acid sequence shown in SEQ ID NO: 2:

H107, K108, G109, D166, W167, D168, Q169, S170, R171, Q172, F173,

Q174, D183, G184, N195, F267, W268, K269, N270, D271, L272, G273,

A274, L275, G456, N457, K458, P459, G460, T461, V462, T463.

The variant of the invention have one or more of the following substitutions:

H107A,D,R,N,C,E,Q,G,I,L,K,M,F,P,S,T,W,Y,V;

K108A,D,R,N,C,E,Q,G,H,I,L,M,F,P,S,T,W,Y,V;

G109A,D,R,N,C,E,Q,H,I,L,K,M,F,P,S,T,W,Y,V;

D166A,R,N,C,E,Q,G,H,I,L,K,M,F,P,S,T,W,Y,V;

W167A,D,R,N,C,E,Q,G,H,I,L,K,M,F,P,S,T,Y,V;

D168A,R,N,C,E,Q,G,H,I,L,K,M,F,P,S,T,W,Y,V;

Q169A,D,R,N,C,E,G,H,I,L,K,M,F,P,S,T,W,Y,V;

S170A,D,R,N,C,E,Q,G,H,I,L,K,M,F,P,T,W,Y,V;

R171A,D,N,C,E,Q,G,H,I,L,K,M,F,P,S,T,W,Y,V;

Q172A,D,R,N,C,E,G,H,I,L,K,M,F,P,S,T,W,Y,V;

F173A,D,R,N,C,E,Q,G,H,I,L,K,M,P,S,T,W,Y,V;

Q174*,A,D,R,N,C,E,G,H,I,L,K,M,F,P,S,T,W,Y,V;

D183*,A,D,R,N,C,E,Q,G,H,I,L,K,M,F,P,S,W,Y,V;

G184*,A,R,N,C,E,Q,G,H,I,L,K,M,F,P,S,T,W,Y,V;

N195A,D,R,C,E,Q,G,H,I,L,K,M,F,P,S,T,W,Y,V;

F267A,D,R,N,C,E,Q,G,H,I,L,K,M,P,S,T,W,Y,V;

W268A,D,R,N,C,E,Q,G,H,I,L,K,M,F,P,S,T,Y,V;

K269A,D,R,N,C,E,Q,G,H,I,L,M,F,P,S,T,W,Y,V;

N270A,D,R,C,E,Q,G,H,I,L,K,M,F,P,S,T,W,Y,V;

D271A,R,N,C,E,Q,G,H,I,L,K,M,F,P,S,T,W,Y,V;

L272A,D,R,N,C,E,Q,G,H,I,K,M,F,P,S,T,W,Y,V;

G273A,D,R,N,C,E,Q,H,I,L,K,M,F,P,S,T,W,Y,V;

A274D,R,N,C,E,Q,G,H,I,L,K,M,F,P,S,T,W,Y,V;

L275A,D,R,N,C,E,Q,G,H,I,K,M,F,P,S,T,W,Y,V;

G456A,D,R,N,C,E,Q,H,I,L,K,M,F,P,S,T,W,Y,V;

N457A,D,R,C,E,Q,G,H,I,L,K,M,F,P,S,T,W,Y,V;

K458A,D,R,N,C,E,Q,G,H,I,L,M,F,P,S,T,W,Y,V;

P459A,D,R,N,C,E,Q,G,H,I,L,K,M,F,S,T,W,Y,V;

G460A,D,R,N,C,E,Q,H,I,L,K,M,F,P,S,T,W,Y,V;

T461A,D,R,N,C,E,Q,G,H,I,L,K,M,F,P,S,W,Y,V;

V462A,D,R,N,C,E,Q,G,H,I,L,K,M,F,P,S,T,W,Y;

T463A,D,R,N,C,E,Q,G,H,I,L,K,M,F,P,S,W,Y,V.

Preferred variants has one or more of the following substitutions or deletions: Q174*, D183*, G184*, K269S.

In a specific embodiment the B. licheniformis α-amylase having the sequence shown in SEQ ID NO: 4 is used as the backbone for these mutations.

General Mutations in Variants of the Invention: Increased Specific Activity at Medium Temperatures

The particularly interesting amino acid substitution are those that increase the mobility around the active site of the enzyme. This is accomplished by changes that disrupt stabilizing interaction in the vicinity of the active site, i.e., within preferably 10 Å or 8 Å or 6 Å or 4 Å from any of the residues constituting the active site.

Examples are mutations that reduce the size of side chains, such as

Ala to Gly,

Val to Ala or Gly,

Ile or Leu to Val, Ala, or Gly

Thr to Ser

Such mutations are expected to cause increased flexibility in the active site region either by the introduction of cavities or by the structural rearrangements that fill the space left by the mutation.

It may be preferred that a variant of the invention comprises one or more modifications in addition to those outlined above. Thus, it may be advantageous that one or more Proline residues present in the part of the α-amylase variant which is modified is/are replaced with a non-Proline residue which may be any of the possible, naturally occurring non-Proline residues, and which preferably is an Alanine, Glycine, Serine, Threonine, Valine or Leucine. Analogously, it may be preferred that one or more Cysteine residues present among the amino acid residues with which the parent α-amylase is modified is/are replaced with a non-Cysteine residue such as Serine, Alanine, Threonine, Glycine, Valine or Leucine.

Furthermore, a variant of the invention may—either as the only modification or in combination with any of the above outlined modifications—be modified so that one or more Asp and/or Glu present in an amino acid fragment corresponding to the amino acid fragment 185-209 of SEQ ID NO: 4 is replaced by an Asn and/or Gln, respectively. Also of interest is the replacement, in the Termamyl-like α-amylase, of one or more of the Lys residues present in an amino acid fragment corresponding to the amino acid fragment 185-209 of SEQ ID NO: 4 by an Arg.

It will be understood that the present invention encompasses variants incorporating two or more of the above outlined modifications.

Furthermore, it may be advantageous to introduce point-mutations in any of the variants described herein.

α-amylase Variants Having Increased Mobility Around the Active Site:

The mobility of α-amylase variants of the invention may be increased by replacing one or more amino acid residue at one or more positions close to the substrate site. These positions are (using the SP722 α-amylase (SEQ ID NO: 2) numbering): V56, K108, D168, Q169, Q172, L201, K269, L272, L275, K446, P459.

Therefore, in an aspect the invention relates to variants being mutated in one or more of the above mentioned positions.

Preferred substitutions are one or more of the following:

V56A,G,S,T;

K108A,D,E,Q,G,H,I,L,M,N,S,T,V;

D168A,G,I,V,N,S,T;

Q169A,D,G,H,I,L,M,N,S,T,V;

Q172A,D,G,H,I,L,M,N,S,T,V;

L201A,G,I,V,S,T;

K269A,D,E,Q,G,H,I,L,M,N,S,T,V;

L272A,G,I,V,S,T;

L275A,G,I,V,S,T;

Y295A,D,E,Q,G,H,I,L,M,N,F,S,T,V;

K446A,D,E,Q,G,H,I,L,M,N,S,T,V;

P459A,G,I,L,S,T,V.

In specific embodiments of the invention the Bacillus strain NCIB 12512 α-amylase having the sequence shown in SEQ ID NO: 1, or the B. stearothermophilus α-amylase having the sequence shown in SEQ ID NO: 3, or the B. licheniformis α-amylase having the sequence shown in SEQ ID NO: 4, or the B. amyloliquefaciens αamylase having the sequence shown in SEQ ID NO: 5 are used as the backbone for these mutations.

As can been seen from the alignment in FIG. 1 the B. licheniformis α-amylase and the B. amyloliquefaciens α-amylase have a Glutamine at position corresponding to K269 in SP722. Further, the B. stearothermophilus α-amylase has a Serine at position corresponding to K269 in SP722. Therefore, for said αamylases these substitutions are not relevant.

Furthermore, as can been seen from the alignment in FIG. 1 the B. amyloliquefaciens α-amylase has an Alanine at position corresponding to L272 in SP722, and the B. stearothermophilus αamylase has a Isoleucine at the position corresponding to L272 in SP722. Therefore, for said α-amylases these substitutions are not relevant.

As can been seen from the alignment in FIG. 1, the Bacillus strain 12512 α-amylase has a Isoleucine at position corresponding to L275 in SP722. Therefore for said α-amylase this substitution is not relevant.

As can been seen from the alignment in FIG. 1 the B. amyloliquefaciens α-amylase has a Phenylalanine at position corresponding to Y295 in SP722. Further, the B. stearothermophilus α-amylase has an Asparagine at position corresponding to Y295 in SP722. Therefore, for said α-amylases these substitutions are not relevant.

As can been seen from the alignment in FIG. 1 the B. licheniformis α-amylase and the B. amyloliquefaciens α-amylase have a Asparagine at position corresponding to K446 in SP722. Further, the B. stearothermophilus α-amylase has a Histidine at position corresponding to K446 in SP722. Therefore, for said α-amylases these substitutions are not relevant.

As can been seen from the alignment in FIG. 1 the B. licheniforrmis α-amylase, the B. amyloliquefaciens α-amylase and the B. stearothermophilus α-amylase have a Serine at position corresponding to P459 in SP722. Further, the Bacillus strain 12512 α-amylase has a Threonine at position corresponding to P459 in SP722. Therefore, for said α-amylases these substitutions are not relevant.

Stabilization of Enzymes Having High Activity at Medium Temperatures

In a further embodiment the invention relates to improving the stability of low temperature α-amylases (e.g, Alteromonas haloplanctis (Feller et al., (1994), Eur. J. Biochem 222:441-447), and medium temperature α-amylases (e.g., SP722 and SP690) possessing medium temperature activity, i.e., commonly known as psychrophilic enzymes and mesophilic enzymes. The stability can for this particular enzyme class be understood either as thermostability or the stability at Calcium depletion conditions.

Typically, enzymes displaying the high activity at medium temperatures also display severe problems under conditions that stress the enzyme, such as temperature or Calcium depletion.

Consequently, the objective is to provide enzymes that at the same time display the desired high activity at medium temperatures without loosing their activity under slightly stressed conditions.

The activity of the stabilized variant measured at medium temperatures should preferably be between 100% or more and 50%, and more preferably between 100% or more and 70%, and most preferably between 100% or more and 85% of the original activity at that specific temperature before stabilization of the enzyme and the resulting enzyme should withstand longer incubation at stressed condition than the wild type enzyme.

Contemplated enzymes include α-amylases of, e.g., bacterial or fungal origin.

An example of such a low temperature α-amylase is the one isolated from Alteromonas haloplanctis (Feller et al., (1994), Eur. J. Biochem 222:441-447). The crystal structure of this alpha-amylase has been solved (Aghajari et al., (1998), Protein Science 7:564-572).

The A. haloplanctis alpha-amylase (5 in alignment shown in FIG. 4) has a homology of approximately 66% to porcine pancreatic alpha-amylase (PPA) (3 in the alignment shown in FIG. 4). The PPA 3D structure is known, and can be obtained from Brookhaven database under the name 1OSE or 1DHK. Based on the homology to other more stable alpha amylases, stabilization of “the low temperature highly active enzyme” from Alteromonas haloplanctis alpha-amylase, can be obtained and at the same time retaining the desired high activity at medium temperatures.

FIG. 4 shown a multiple sequence alignments of five α-amylases, including the AHA and the PPA α-amylase. Specific mutations giving increased stability in Alteromonas haloplantis alpha-amylase: T66P, Q69P, R155P, Q177R, A205P, A232P, L243R, V295P, S315R.

Methods for Preparing α-amylase Variants

Several methods for introducing mutations into genes are known in the art. After a brief discussion of the cloning of α-amylase-encoding DNA sequences, methods for generating mutations at specific sites within the α-amylase-encoding sequence will be discussed.

Cloning a DNA Sequence Encoding an α-amylase

The DNA sequence encoding a parent α-amylase may be isolated from any cell or microorganism producing the α-amylase in question, using various methods well known in the art. First, a genomic DNA and/or cDNA library should be constructed using chromosomal DNA or messenger RNA from the organism that produces the α-amylase to be studied. Then, if the amino acid sequence of the α-amylase is known, homologous, labeled oligonucleotide probes may be synthesized and used to identify α-amylase-encoding clones from a genomic library prepared from the organism in question. Alternatively, a labeled oligonucleotide probe containing sequences homologous to a known α-amylase gene could be used as a probe to identify α-amylase-encoding clones, using hybridization and washing conditions of lower stringency.

Yet another method for identifying α-amylase-encoding clones would involve inserting fragments of genomic DNA into an expression vector, such as a plasmid, transforming α-amylase-negative bacteria with the resulting genomic DNA library, and then plating the transformed bacteria onto agar containing a substrate for α-amylase, thereby allowing clones expressing the α-amylase to be identified.

Alternatively, the DNA sequence encoding the enzyme may be prepared synthetically by established standard methods, e.g., the phosphoroamidite method described by S. L. Beaucage and M. H. Caruthers (1981) or the method described by Matthes et al. (1984). In the phosphoroamidite method, oligonucleotides are synthesized, e.g., in an automatic DNA synthesizer, purified, annealed, ligated and cloned in appropriate vectors.

Finally, the DNA sequence may be of mixed genomic and synthetic origin, mixed synthetic and cDNA origin or mixed genomic and cDNA origin, prepared by ligating fragments of synthetic, genomic or cDNA origin (as appropriate, the fragments corresponding to various parts of the entire DNA sequence), in accordance with standard techniques. The DNA sequence may also be prepared by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using specific primers, for instance as described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,683,202 or R. K. Saiki et al. (1988).

Expression of α-amylase Variants

According to the invention, a DNA sequence encoding the variant produced by methods described above, or by any alternative methods known in the art, can be expressed, in enzyme form, using an expression vector which typically includes control sequences encoding a promoter, operator, ribosome binding site, translation initiation signal, and, optionally, a repressor gene or various activator genes.

The recombinant expression vector carrying the DNA sequence encoding an α-amylase variant of the invention may be any vector which may conveniently be subjected to recombinant DNA procedures, and the choice of vector will often depend on the host cell into which it is to be introduced. Thus, the vector may be an autonomously replicating vector, i.e., a vector which exists as an extrachromosomal entity, the replication of which is independent of chromosomal replication, e.g., a plasmid, a bacteriophage or an extrachromosomal element, minichromosome or an artificial chromosome. Alternatively, the vector may be one which, when introduced into a host cell, is integrated into the host cell genome and replicated together with the chromosome(s) into which it has been integrated.

In the vector, the DNA sequence should be operably connected to a suitable promoter sequence. The promoter may be any DNA sequence which shows transcriptional activity in the host cell of choice and may be derived from genes encoding proteins either homologous or heterologous to the host cell. Examples of suitable promoters for directing the transcription of the DNA sequence encoding an α-amylase variant of the invention, especially in a bacterial host, are the promoter of the lac operon of E.coli, the Streptomyces coelicolor agarase gene dagA promoters, the promoters of the Bacillus licheniformis α-amylase gene (amyL), the promoters of the Bacillus stearothermophilus maltogenic amylase gene (amyL), the promoters of the Bacillus amiyloliquefaciens α-amylase (amyQ), the promoters of the Bacillus subtilis xylA and xylB genes etc. For transcription in a fungal host, examples of useful promoters are those derived from the gene encoding A. oryzae TAKA amylase, Rhizomucor miehei aspartic proteinase, A. niger neutral α-amylase, A. niger acid stable α-amylase, A. niger glucoamylase, Rhizomucor miehei lipase, A. oryzae alkaline protease, A. oryzae triose phosphate isomerase or A. nidulans acetamidase.

The expression vector of the invention may also comprise a suitable transcription terminator and, in eukaryotes, polyadenylation sequences operably connected to the DNA sequence encoding the α-amylase variant of the invention. Termination and polyadenylation sequences may suitably be derived from the same sources as the promoter.

The vector may further comprise a DNA sequence enabling the vector to replicate in the host cell in question. Examples of such sequences are the origins of replication of plasmids pUCl9, pACYC177, pUB110, pE194, pAMB1 and pIJ702.

The vector may also comprise a selectable marker, e.g. a gene the product of which complements a defect in the host cell, such as the dal genes from B. subtilis or B. licheniformis, or one which confers antibiotic resistance such as ampicillin, kanamycin, chloramphenicol or tetracyclin resistance. Furthermore, the vector may comprise Aspergillus selection markers such as amdS, argB, niaD and sC, a marker giving rise to hygromycin resistance, or the selection may be accomplished by co-transformation, e.g., as described in WO 91/17243.

While intracellular expression may be advantageous in some respects, e.g., when using certain bacteria as host cells, it is generally preferred that the expression is extracellular. In general, the Bacillus α-amylases mentioned herein comprise a preregion permitting secretion of the expressed protease into the culture medium. If desirable, this preregion may be replaced by a different preregion or signal sequence, conveniently accomplished by substitution of the DNA sequences encoding the respective preregions.

The procedures used to ligate the DNA construct of the invention encoding an α-amylase variant, the promoter, terminator and other elements, respectively, and to insert them into suitable vectors containing the information necessary for replication, are well known to persons skilled in the art (cf., for instance, Sambrook et al., Molecular Cloning: A Laboratory Manual, 2nd Ed., Cold Spring Harbor, 1989).

The cell of the invention, either comprising a DNA construct or an expression vector of the invention as defined above, is advantageously used as a host cell in the recombinant production of an α-amylase variant of the invention. The cell may be transformed with the DNA construct of the invention encoding the variant, conveniently by integrating the DNA construct (in one or more copies) in the host chromosome. This integration is generally considered to be an advantage as the DNA sequence is more likely to be stably maintained in the cell. Integration of the DNA constructs into the host chromosome may be performed according to conventional methods, e.g., by homologous or heterologous recombination. Alternatively, the cell may be transformed with an expression vector as described above in connection with the different types of host cells.

The cell of the invention may be a cell of a higher organism such as a mammal or an insect, but is preferably a microbial cell, e.g. a bacterial or a fungal (including yeast) cell. Examples of suitable bacteria are Gram positive bacteria such as Bacillus subtilis, Bacillus licheniformis, Bacillus lentus, Bacillus brevis, Bacillus stearothermophilus, Bacillus alkalophilus, Bacillus amyloliquefaciens, Bacillus coagulans, Bacillus circulans, Bacillus lautus, Bacillus megaterium, Bacillus thuringiensis, or Streptomyces lividans or Streptomyces murinus, or gramnegative bacteria such as E.coli. The transformation of the bacteria may, for instance, be effected by protoplast transformation or by using competent cells in a manner known per se.

The yeast organism may favorably be selected from a species of Saccharomyces or Schizosaccharomyces, e.g. Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The filamentous fungus may advantageously belong to a species of Aspergillus, e.g., Aspergillus oryzae or Aspergillus niger. Fungal cells may be transformed by a process involving protoplast formation and transformation of the protoplasts followed by regeneration of the cell wall in a manner known per se. A suitable procedure for transformation of Aspergillus host cells is described in EP 238 023.

In a yet further aspect, the present invention relates to a method of producing an α-amylase variant of the invention, which method comprises cultivating a host cell as described above under conditions conducive to the production of the variant and recovering the variant from the cells and/or culture medium.

The medium used to cultivate the cells may be any conventional medium suitable for growing the host cell in question and obtaining expression of the α-amylase variant of the invention. Suitable media are available from commercial suppliers or may be prepared according to published recipes (e.g. as described in catalogues of the American Type Culture Collection).

The α-amylase variant secreted from the host cells may conveniently be recovered from the culture medium by well-known procedures, including separating the cells from the medium by centrifugation or filtration, and precipitating proteinaceous components of the medium by means of a salt such as ammonium sulphate, followed by the use of chromatographic procedures such as ion exchange chromatography, affinity chromatography, or the like.

Industrial Applications

The α-amylase variants of this invention possesses valuable properties allowing for a variety of industrial applications. In particular, enzyme variants of the invention are applicable as a component in washing, dishwashing and hard-surface cleaning detergent compositions.

Numerous variants are particularly useful in the production of sweeteners and ethanol from starch, and/or for textile desizing. Conditions for conventional starch-conversion processes, including starch liquefaction and/or saccharification processes, are described in, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 3,912,590 and in EP patent publications Nos. 252,730 and 63,909.

Detergent Compositions

As mentioned above, variants of the invention may suitably be incorporated in detergent compositions. Reference is made, for example, to WO 96/23874 and WO 97/07202 for further details concerning relevant ingredients of detergent compositions (such as laundry or dishwashing detergents), appropriate methods of formulating the variants in such detergent compositions, and for examples of relevant types of detergent compositions.

Detergent compositions comprising a variant of the invention may additionally comprise one or more other enzymes, such as a lipase, cutinase, protease, cellulase, peroxidase or laccase, and/or another α-amylase.

α-amylase variants of the invention may be incorporated in detergents at conventionally employed concentrations. It is at present contemplated that a variant of the invention may be incorporated in an amount corresponding to 0.00001-1 mg (calculated as pure, active enzyme protein) of α-amylase per liter of wash/dishwash liquor using conventional dosing levels of detergent.

The invention also relates to a method of providing α-amylases with 1) altered pH optimum, and/or 2) altered temperature optimum, and/or 3) improved stability, comprising the following steps:

i) identifying (a) target position(s) and/or region(s) for mutation of the α-amylase by comparing the molecular dynamics of two or more α-amylase 3D structures having substantially different pH, temperature and/or stability profiles,

ii) substituting, adding and/or deleting one or more amino acids in the identified position(s) and/or region(s).

In embodiment of the invention a medium temperature α-amylase is compared with a high temperature α-amylase. In another embodiment a low temperature α-amylase is compared with either a medium or a high temperature α-amylase.

The α-amylases compared should preferably be at least 70%, preferably 80%, up to 90%, such as up to 95%, especially 95% homologous with each other.

The α-amylases compared may be Termamyl-like α-amylases as defined above. In specific embodiment the α-amylases compared are the α-amylases shown in SEQ ID NO: 1 to SEQ ID NO: 8.

In another embodiment the stability profile of the α-amylases in question compared are the Ca²⁺ dependency profile.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Enzymes:

SP722: (SEQ ID NO: 2, available from Novo Nordisk) Termamyl™ (SEQ ID NO: 4, available from Novo Nordisk) SP690: (SEQ ID NO: 1, available from Novo Nordisk) Bacillus subtilis SHA273: see WO 95/10603

Plasmids

pJE1 contains the gene encoding a variant of SP722 α-amylase (SEQ ID NO: 2): viz. deletion of 6 nucleotides corresponding to amino acids D183-G184 in the mature protein. Transcription of the JE1 gene is directed from the amyL promoter. The plasmid further more contains the origin of replication and cat-gene conferring resistance towards kanamycin obtained from plasmid pUB110 (Gryczan, T J et al. (1978), J. Bact. 134:318-329).

Methods

Construction of Library Vector pDorK101

The E. coli/Bacillus shuttle vector pDorK101 (described below) can be used to introduce mutations without expression of α-amylase in E. coli and then be modified in such way that the α-amylase is active in Bacillus. The vector was constructed as follows: The JE1 encoding gene (SP722 with the deletion of D183-G184) was inactivated in pJE1 by gene interruption in the PstI site in the 5′ coding region of the SEQ ID NO: 2: SP722 by a 1.2 kb fragment containing an E. coli origin of replication. This fragment was PCR amplified from the pUC19 (GenBank Accession #:X02514) using the forward primer: 5′-gacctgcagtcaggcaactα-3′ and the reverse primer: 5′-tagagtcgacctgcaggcat-3′. The PCR amplicon and the pJE1 vector were digested with PstI at 37° C. for 2 hours. The pJE1 vector fragment and the PCR fragment were ligated at room temperature. for 1 hour and transformed in E. coli by electrotransformation. The resulting vector is designated pDorK101.

Filter Screening Assays

The assay can be used to screening of Termamyl-like α-amylase variants having an improved stability at high pH compared to the parent enzyme and Termamyl-like α-amylase variants having an improved stability at high pH and medium temperatures compared to the parent enzyme depending of the screening temperature setting

High pH Filter Assay

Bacillus libraries are plated on a sandwich of cellulose acetate (OE 67, Schleicher & Schuell, Dassel, Germany)—and nitrocellulose filters (Protran-Ba 85, Schleicher & Schuell, Dassel, Germany) on TY agar plates with 10 μg/ml kanamycin at 37° C. for at least 21 hours. The cellulose acetate layer is located on the TY agar plate.

Each filter sandwich is specifically marked with a needle after plating, but before incubation in order to be able to localize positive variants on the filter and the nitrocellulose filter with bound variants is transferred to a container with glycin-NaOH buffer, pH 8.6-10.6 and incubated at room temperature(can be altered from 10°-60° C.) for 15 min. The cellulose acetate filters with colonies are stored on the TY-plates at room temperature until use. After incubation, residual activity is detected on plates containing 1% agarose, 0.2% starch in glycin-NaOH buffer, pH 8.6-10.6. The assay plates with nitrocellulose filters are marked the same way as the filter sandwich and incubated for 2 hours. at room temperature. After removal of the filters the assay plates are stained with 10% Lugol solution. Starch degrading variants are detected as white spots on dark blue background and then identified on the storage plates. Positive variants are rescreened twice under the same conditions as the first screen.

Low Calcium Filter Assay

The Bacillus library are plated on a sandwich of cellulose acetate (OE 67, Schleicher & Schuell, Dassel, Germany)—and nitrocellulose filters (Protran-Ba 85, Schleicher & Schuell, Dassel, Germany) on TY agar plates with a relevant antibiotic, e.g., kanamycin or chloramphenicol, at 37° C. for at least 21 hours. The cellulose acetate layer is located on the TY agar plate.

Each filter sandwich is specifically marked with a needle after plating, but before incubation in order to be able to localize positive variants on the filter and the nitrocellulose filter with bound variants is transferred to a container with carbonate/bicarbonate buffer pH 8.5-10 and with different EDTA concentrations (0.001 mM-100 mM). The filters are incubated at room temperature for 1 hour. The cellulose acetate filters with colonies are stored on the TY-plates at room temperature until use. After incubation, residual activity is detected on plates containing 1% agarose, 0.2% starch in carbonate/bicarbonate buffer pH 8.5-10. The assay plates with nitrocellulose filters are marked the same way as the filter sandwich and incubated for 2 hours. at room temperature. After removal of the filters the assay plates are stained with 10% Lugol solution. Starch degrading variants are detected as white spots on dark blue background and then identified on the storage plates. Positive variants are rescreened twice under the same conditions as the first screen.

Method to Obtaining the Regions of Interest:

There are three known 3D structures of bacterial α-amylases. Two of B. licheniformis α-amylase, Brookhaven database 1BPL (Machius et al. (1995), J. Mol. Biol. 246, p. 545-559) and 1VJS (Song et al. (1996), Enzymes for Carbohydrate 163 Engineering (Prog. Biotechnol. V 12). These two structures are lacking an important piece of the structure from the so-called B-domain, in the area around the two Calcium ions and one Sodium ion binding sites. We have therefore used a 3D structure of an α-amylase BA2 (WO 96/23874 which are a hybrid between BAN™ (SEQ ID NO. 5) and B. licheniformis α-amylase (SEQ ID NO. 4). On basis of the structure a model of B. licheniformis alpha amylase and the SP722 α-amylase has been build.

Fermentation and Purification of α-amylase Variants

Fermentation and purification may be performed by methods well known in the art.

Stability Determination

All stability trials are made using the same set up. The method are:

The enzyme is incubated under the relevant conditions (1-4). Samples are taken at various time points, e.g., after 0, 5, 10, 15 and 30 minutes and diluted 25 times (same dilution for all taken samples) in assay buffer (0.1 M 50 mM Britton buffer pH 7.3) and the activity is measured using the Phadebas assay (Pharmacia) under standard conditions pH 7.3, 37° C.

The activity measured before incubation (0 minutes) is used as reference (100%). The decline in percent is calculated as a function of the incubation time. The table shows the residual activity after, e.g., 30 minutes of incubation.

Specific Activity Determination

The specific activity is determined using the Phadebas assay (Pharmacia) as activity/mg enzyme. The manufactures instructions are followed (see also below under “Assay for α-amylase activity).

Assays for α-Amylase Activity

1. Phadebas assay

α-amylase activity is determined by a method employing Phadebas® tablets as substrate. Phadebas tablets (Phadebas® Amylase Test, supplied by Pharmacia Diagnostic) contain a crosslinked insoluble blue-colored starch polymer which has been mixed with bovine serum albumin and a buffer substance and tabletted.

For every single measurement one tablet is suspended in a tube containing 5 ml 50 mM Britton-Robinson buffer (50 mM acetic acid, 50 mM phosphoric acid, 50 mM boric acid, 0.1 mM CaCl₂, pH adjusted to the value of interest with NaOH). The test is performed in a water bath at the temperature of interest. The α-amylase to be tested is diluted in x ml of 50 mM Britton-Robinson buffer. 1 ml of this α-amylase solution is added to the 5 ml 50 nM Britton-Robinson buffer. The starch is hydrolyzed by the α-amylase giving soluble blue fragments. The absorbance of the resulting blue solution, measured spectrophotometrically at 620 nm, is a function of the α-amylase activity.

It is important that the measured 620 nm absorbance after 10 or 15 minutes of incubation (testing time) is in the range of 0.2 to 2.0 absorbance units at 620 nm. In this absorbance range there is linearity between activity and absorbance (Lambert-Beer law). The dilution of the enzyme must therefore be adjusted to fit this criterion. Under a specified set of conditions (temp., pH, reaction time, buffer conditions) 1 mg of a given α-amylase will hydrolyze a certain amount of substrate and a blue colour will be produced. The colour intensity is measured at 620 nm. The measured absorbance is directly proportional to the specific activity (activity/mg of pure α-amylase protein) of the α-amylase in question under the given set of conditions.

2. Alternative method

α-amylase activity is determined by a method employing the PNP-G7 substrate. PNP-G7 which is a abbreviation for p-nitrophenyl-α, D-maltoheptaoside is a blocked oligosaccharide which can be cleaved by an endα-amylase. Following the cleavage, the α-Glucosidase included in the kit digest the substrate to liberate a free PNP molecule which has a yellow colour and thus can be measured by visible spectophometry at λ=405 nm. (400-420 nm.). Kits containing PNP-G7 substrate and α-Glucosidase is manufactured by Boehringer-Mannheim (cat.No. 1054635).

To prepare the substrate one bottle of substrate (BM 1442309) is added to 5 ml buffer (BM1442309). To prepare the α-Glucosidase one bottle of α-Glucosidase (BM 1462309) is added to 45 ml buffer (BM1442309). The working solution is made by mixing 5 ml α-Glucosidase solution with 0.5 ml substrate.

The assay is performed by transforming 20 μl enzyme solution to a 96 well microtitre plate and incubating at 25° C. 200 μl working solution, 25° C. is added. The solution is mixed and preincubated 1 minute and absorption is measured every 15 sec. over 3 minutes at OD 405 nm.

The slope of the time dependent absorption-curve is directly proportional to the specific activity (activity per mg enzyme) of the α-amylase in question under the given set of conditions.

General Method for Random Mutagenesis by use of the DOPE Program

The random mutagenesis may be carried out by the following steps:

1. Select regions of interest for modification in the parent enzyme

2. Decide on mutation sites and non-mutated sites in the selected region

3. Decide on which kind of mutations should be carried out, e.g. with respect to the desired stability and/or performance of the variant to be constructed

4. Select structurally reasonable mutations.

5. Adjust the residues selected by step 3 with regard to step 4.

6. Analyze by use of a suitable dope algorithm the nucleotide distribution.

7. If necessary, adjust the wanted residues to genetic code realism (e.g., taking into account constraints resulting from the genetic code (e.g. in order to avoid introduction of stop codons))(the skilled person will be aware that some codon combinations cannot be used in practice and will need to be adapted)

8. Make primers

9. Perform random mutagenesis by use of the primers

10. Select resulting α-amylase variants by screening for the desired improved properties.

Suitable dope algorithms for use in step 6 are well known in the art. One algorithm is described by Tomandl, D. et al., Journal of Computer-Aided Molecular Design, 11 (1997), pp. 29-38). Another algorithm, DOPE, is described in the following:

The Dope Program

The “DOPE” program is a computer algorithm useful to optimize the nucleotide composition of a codon triplet in such a way that it encodes an amino acid distribution which resembles most the wanted amino acid distribution. In order to assess which of the possible distributions is the most similar to the wanted amino acid distribution, a scoring function is needed. In the “Dope” program the following function was found to be suited: ${s \equiv {\prod\limits_{i = 1}^{N}\left( \frac{{x_{i}^{y_{i}}\left( {1 - x_{i}} \right)}^{1 - y_{i}}}{{y_{i}^{y_{i}}\left( {1 - y_{i}} \right)}^{1 - y_{i}}} \right)^{w_{i}}}},$

where the x_(i)'s are the obtained amounts of amino acids and groups of amino acids as calculated by the program, y_(i)'s are the wanted amounts of amino acids and groups of amino acids as defined by the user of the program (e.g. specify which of the 20 amino acids or stop codons are wanted to be introduced, e.g. with a certain percentage (e.g. 90% Ala, 3% Ile, 7% Val), and w_(i)'s are assigned weight factors as defined by the user of the program (e.g., depending on the importance of having a specific amino acid residue inserted into the position in question). N is 21 plus the number of amino acid groups as defined by the user of the program. For purposes of this function 0° is defined as being 1.

A Monte-Carlo algorithm (one example being the one described by Valleau, J. P. & Whittington, S. G. (1977) A guide to Mont Carlo for statistical mechanics: 1 Highways. In “Stastistical Mechanics, Part A” Equlibrium Techniqeues ed. B. J. Berne, New York: Plenum) is used for finding the maximum value of this function. In each iteration the following steps are performed:

1. A new random nucleotide composition is chosen for each base, where the absolute difference between the current and the new composition is smaller than or equal to d for each of the four nucleotides G,A,T,C in all three positions of the codon (see below for definition of d).

2. The scores of the new composition and the current composition are compared by the use of the function s as described above. If the new score is higher or equal to the score of the current composition, the new composition is kept and the current composition is changed to the new one. If the new score is smaller, the probability of keeping the new composition is exp(1000(new_score−current_score)).

A cycle normally consists of 1000 iterations as described above in which d is decreasing linearly from 1 to 0. One hundred or more cycles are performed in an optimization process. The nucleotide composition resulting in the highest score is finally presented.

EXAMPLES Example 1

Example on Homology Building of Termamyl™

The overall homology of the B. licheniformis α-amylase (in the following referred to as Termamyl™) to other Termamyl-like α-amylases is high and the percent similarity is extremely high. The similarity calculated for Termamyl™ to BSG (the B. stearothermophilus α-amylase having SEQ ID NO: 3), and BAN (the B. amyloliquefaciens α-amylase having SEQ ID NO: 5) using the University of Wisconsin Genetics Computer Group's program GCG gave 89% and 78%, respectively. TERM has a deletion of 2 residues between residue G180 and K181 compared to BAN™ and BSG. BSG has a deletion of 3 residues between G371 and I372 in comparison with BAN™ and Termamyl™. Further BSG has a C-terminal extension of more than 20 residues compared to BANT™ and Termamyl™. BAN™ has 2 residues less and Termamyl has one residue less in the N-terminal compared to BSG.

The structure of the B. licheniformis (Termamyl™) and of the B. amyloliquefaciens α-amylase (BAN™), respectively, was model built on the structure disclosed in Appendix 1 of WO 96/23974. The structure of other Termamyl-like α-amylases (e.g. those disclosed herein) may be built analogously.

In comparison with the α-amylase used for elucidating the present structure, Termamyl™ differs in that it lacks two residues around 178-182. In order to compensate for this in the model structure, the HOMOLOGY program from BIOSYM was used to substitute the residues in equivalent positions in the structure (not only structurally conserved regions) except for the deletion point. A peptide bond was established between G179(G177) and K180(K180) in Termamyl™(BAN™). The close structural relationship between the solved structure and the model structure (and thus the validity of the latter) is indicated by the presence of only very few atoms found to be too close together in the model.

To this very rough structure of Termamyl™ was then added all waters (605) and ions (4 Calcium and 1 Sodium) from the solved structure (See Appendix 1 of WO 96/23874) at the same coordinates as for said solved structure using the INSIGHT program. This could be done with only few overlaps—in other words with a very nice fit. This model structure were then minimized using 200 steps of Steepest descent and 600 steps of Conjugated gradient (see Brooks et al 1983, J. Computational Chemistry 4, p.187-217). The minimized structure was then subjected to molecular dynamics, 5 ps heating followed by up to 200 ps equilibration but more than 35 ps. The dynamics as run with the Verlet algorithm and the equilibration temperature 300K were kept using the Behrendsen coupling to a water bath (Berendsen et. al., 1984, J. Chemical Physics 81, p. 3684-3690). Rotations and translations were removed every pico second.

Example 2

Method of Extracting Important Regions for Identifying α-amylase Variants with Improved pH Stability and Altered Temperature Activity

The X-ray structure and/or the model build structure of the enzyme of interest, here SP722 and Termamyl™, are subjected to molecular dynamics simulations. The molecular dynamics simulation are made using the CHARMM (from Molecular simulations (MSI)) program or other suited program like, e.g., DISCOVER (from MSI). The molecular dynamic analysis is made in vacuum, or more preferred including crystal waters, or with the enzyme embedded in water, e.g., a water sphere or a water box. The simulation are run for 300 pico seconds (ps) or more, e.g., 300-1200 ps. The isotropic fluctuations are extracted for the CA carbons of the structures and compared between the structures. Where the sequence has deletions and/or insertions the isotropic fluctuations from the other structure are inserted thus giving 0 as difference in isotropic fluctuation. For explanation of isotropic fluctuations see the CHARMM manual (obtainable from MSI).

The molecular dynamics simulation can be done using standard charges on the chargeable amino acids. This is Asp and Glu are negatively charged and Lys and Arg are positively charged. This condition resembles the medium pH of approximately 7. To analyze a higher or lower pH, titration of the molecule can be done to obtain the altered pKa's of the standard titrateable residues normally within pH 2-10; Lys, Arg, Asp, Glu, Tyr and His. Also Ser, Thr and Cys are titrateable but are not taking into account here. Here the altered charges due to the pH has been described as both Asp and Glu are negative at high pH, and both Arg and Lys are uncharged. This imitates a pH around 10 to 11 where the titration of Lys and Arg starts, as the normal pKa of these residues are around 9-11.

1. The approach used for extracting important regions for identifying α-amylase variants with high pH stability:

The important regions for constructing variants with improved pH stability are the regions which at the extreme pH display the highest mobility, i.e., regions having the highest isotropic fluctuations.

Such regions are identified by carrying out two molecular dynamics simulations: i) a high pH run at which the basic amino acids, Lys and Arg, are seen as neutral (i.e. not protonated) and the acidic amino acids, Asp and Glu, have the charge (−1) and ii) a neutral pH run with the basic amino acids, Lys and Arg, having the net charge of (+1) and the acidic amino acids having a charge of (−1).

The two run are compared and regions displaying the relatively higher mobility at high pH compared to neutral pH analysis were identified.

Introduction of residues improving general stability, e.g., hydrogen bonding, making the region more rigid (by mutations such as Proline substitutions or replacement of Glycine residues), or improving the charges or their interaction, improves the high pH stability of the enzyme.

2. The approach used for extracting regions for identifying α-amylase variants with increased activity at medium temperatures:

The important regions for constructing variants with increased activity at medium temperature was found as the difference between the isotropic fluctuations in SP722 and Termamyl, i.e., SP722 minus Termamyl CA isotrophic fluctuations, The regions with the highest mobility in the isotrophic fluctuations were selected. These regions and there residues were expected to increase the activity at medium temperatures. The activity of an alpha-amylase is only expressed if the correct mobility of certain residues are present. If the mobility of the residues is too low the activity is decreased or abandoned.

Example 3

Construction, by Localized Random, Doped Mutagenesis, of Termamyl-like α-amylase Variants Having an Improved Ca²⁺ Stability at Medium Temperatures Compared to the Parent Enzyme

To improve the stability at low calcium concentration of α-amylases random mutagenesis in pre-selected region was performed.

Region: Residue:

SAI: R181-W189

The DOPE software (see Materials and Methods) was used to determine spiked codons for each suggested change in the SA1 region minimizing the amount of stop codons (see table 1). The exact distribution of nucleotides was calculated in the three positions of the codon to give the suggested population of amino acid changes. The doped regions were doped specifically in the indicated positions to have a high chance of getting the desired residues, but still allow other possibilities.

Table 1

Distribution of Amino Acid Residues for each Position

R181: 72% R, 2% N, 7% Q, 4% H, 4%K, 11%S

G182: 73% G, 13% A, 12% S, 2% T

K185: 95% K, 5% R

A186: 50% A, 4% N, 6% D, 1%E, 1% G, 1% K, 5% S, 31% T

W187: 100% W

D188: 100% D

W189: 92% W, 8% S

The resulting doped oligonucleotide strand is shown in table 2 as sense strand: with the wild type nucleotide and amino acid sequences and the distribution of nucleotides for each doped position.

TABLE 2 Position 181 182 185 186 187 188 189 Amino acid seq. Arg Gly Lys Ala Thr Asp Thr Wt nuc. seq. cga ggt aaa gct tgg gat tgg

Forward primer (SEQ ID NO: 15): FSA:    5′-caa aat cgt atc tac aaa ttc 123 456 a7g 8910 tgg                gat t11g gaa gta gat tcg gaa aat-3′

Distribution of Nucleotides for each Doped Position

1: 35% A, 65% C

2: 83% G, 17% A

3: 63% G, 37% T

4: 86% G, 14% A

5: 85% G, 15% C

6: 50% T, 50% C

7: 95% A, 5%G

8: 58% G, 37% A, 5% T

9: 86% C, 13% A, 1% G

10: 83% T, 17% G

11: 92% G, 8% C

Reverse primer (SEQ ID NO: 16):RSA: 5′-gaa ttt gta gat acg att ttg-3′

Random Mutagenesis

The spiked oligonucleotides apparent from Table 2 (which by a common term is designated FSA) and reverse primers RSA for the SA1 region and specific SEQ ID NO: 2: SP722 primers covering the SacII and the DraIII sites are used to generate PCR-library-fragments by the overlap extension method (Horton et al., Gene, 77 (1989), pp. 61-68) with an overlap of 21 base pairs. Plasmid pJE1 is template for the Polymerase Chain Reaction. The PCR fragments are cloned in the E. coli/Bacillus shuttle vector pDork101 (see Materials and Methods) enabling mutagenesis in E. coli and immediate expression in Bacillus subtilis preventing lethal accumulation of amylases in E. coli. After establishing the cloned PCR fragments in E. coli, a modified pUC19 fragment is digested out of the plasmid and the promoter and the mutated Termamyl gene is physically connected and expression can take place in Bacillus.

Screening

The library may be screened in the low calcium filter assays described in the “Material and Methods” section above.

Example 4

Construction of Variants of Amylase SEQ ID NO: 1 (SP690)

The gene encoding the amylase from SEQ ID NO: 1 is located in a plasmid pTVB106 described in W096/23873. The amylase is expressed from the amyL promoter in this construct in Bacillus subtilis.

A variant of the protein is delta(T183-G184)+Y243F+Q391E+K444Q. Construction of this variant is described in W096/23873.

Construction of delta(T183-G184)+N195F by the mega-primer method as described by Sarkar and Sommer, (1990), BioTechniques 8: 404-407.

Gene specific primer B1 (SEQ ID NO: 17) and mutagenic primer 101458 (SEQ ID NO: 19) were used to amplify by PCR an approximately 645 bp DNA fragment from a pTVB106-like plasmid (with the delta(T183-G184) mutations in the gene encoding the amylase from SEQ ID NO: 1).

The 645 bp fragment was purified from an agarose gel and used as a mega-primer together with primer Y2 (SEQ ID NO: 18) in a second PCR carried out on the same template.

The resulting approximately 1080 bp fragment was digested with restriction enzymes BstEII and AflIII and the resulting approximately 510 bp DNA fragment was purified and ligated with the pTVB106-like plasmid (with the delta(T183-G184) mutations in the gene encoding the amylase from SEQ ID NO: 1) digested with the same enzymes. Competent Bacillus subtilis SHA273 (amylase and protease low) cells were transformed with the ligation and Chlorampenicol resistant transformants and was checked by DNA sequencing to verify the presence of the correct mutations on the plasmid.

primer B1: (SEQ ID NO: 17)5′ CGA TTG CTG ACG CTG TTA TTT GCG 3′

primer Y2: (SEQ ID NO: 18)5′ CTT GTT CCC TTG TCA GAA CCA ATG 3′

primer 101458 (SEQ ID NO: 19): 5′ GT CAT AGT TGC CGA AAT CTG TAT CGA CTT C 3′

The construction of variant: delta(T183-G184)+K185R+A186T was carried out in a similar way except that mutagenic primer 101638 was used.

primer 101638: (SEQ ID NO: 20) 5′ CC CAG TCC CAC GTA CGT CCC CTG AAT TTA TAT ATT TTG 3′

Variants: delta(T183-G184)+A186T, delta(T183-G184)+A186I, delta(T183-G184)+A186S, delta(T183-G184)+A186N are constructed by a similar method except that pTVB106-like plasmid (carrying variant delta(T183-G184)+K185R+A186T) is used as template and as the vector for the cloning purpose. The mutagenic oligonucleotide (Oligo 1) is:

5′ CC CAG TCC CAG NTCTTT CCC CTG AAT TTA TAT ATT TTG 3′ (SEQ ID NO: 21)

N represents a mixture of the four bases: A, C, G, and T used in the synthesis of the mutagenicoli-gonucleotide. Sequencing of transformants identifies the correct codon for amino acid position 186 in the mature amylase.

Variant: delta(T183-G184)+K185R+A186T+N195F is constructed as follows:

PCR is carried out with primer ×2 (SEQ ID NO: 22) and primer 101458 (SEQ ID NO: 19) on pTVB106-like plasmid (with mutations delta(T183-G184)+K185R+A186T). The resulting DNA fragment is used as a mega-primer together with primer Y2 (SEQ ID NO: 18) in a PCR on pTVB106-like plasmid (with mutations delta(T183-G184)+N195). The product of the second PCR is digested with restriction endonucleases Acc65I and AflIII and cloned into pTVB106 like plasmid (delta(T183-G184)+N195F) digested with the same enzymes.

primer ×2: (SEQ ID NO: 22) 5′ GCG TGG ACA AAG TTT GAT TTT CCT G 3′

Variant: delta(T183-G184)+K185R+A186T+N195F+Y243F+Q391E+K444Q is constructed as follows:

PCR is carried out with primer ×2 and primer 101458 on pTVB106-like plasmid (with mutations delta(T183-G184)+K185R+A186T). The resulting DNA fragment is used as a mega-primer together with primer Y2 in a PCR on pTVB106 like plasmid (with mutations delta(T183-G184)+Y243F+Q391E+K444Q). The product of the second PCR is digested with restriction endonucleases Acc65I and AflIII and cloned into pTVB106 like plasmid (delta(T183-G184)+Y243F+Q391E+K444Q) digested with the same enzymes.

Example 5

Construction of Site-directed α-amylase Variants in the Parent SP722 α-amylase (SEQ ID NO: 2)

Construction of variants of amylase SEQ ID NO: 2 (SP722) is carried out as described below.

The gene encoding the amylase from SEQ ID NO: 2 is located in a plasmid pTVB112 described in WO 96/23873. The amylase is expressed from the amyL promoter in this construct in Bacillus subtilis.

Construction of delta(D183-G184)+V56I by the mega-primer method as described by Sarkar and Sommer, 1990 (BioTechniques 8: 404-407).

Gene specific primer DA03 and mutagenic primer DA07 are used to amplify by PCR an approximately 820 bp DNA fragment from a pTVB112-like plasmid (with the delta(D183-G184) mutations in the gene encoding the α-amylase shown in SEQ ID NO: 2.

The 820 bp fragment is purified from an agarose gel and used as a mega-primer together with primer DA01 in a second PCR carried out on the same template.

The resulting approximately 920 bp fragment is digested with restriction enzymes NgoM I and Aat II and the resulting approximately 170 bp DNA fragment is purified and ligated with the pTVB112-like plasmid (with the delta(D183-G184) mutations in the gene encoding the amylase shown in SEQ ID NO: 2) digested with the same enzymes. Competent Bacillus subtilis SHA273 (amylase and protease low) cells are transformed with the ligation and Chlorampenicol resistant transformants are checked by DNA sequencing to verify the presence of the correct mutations on the plasmid.

primer DA01: (SEQ ID NO: 23) 5′ CCTAATGATGGGAATCACTGG 3′

primer DA03: (SEQ ID NO:24) 5′ GCATTGGATGCTTTTGAACAACCG 3′

primer DA07 (SEQ ID NO:25): 5′ CGCAAAATGATATCGGGTATGGAGCC 3′

Variants: delta(D183-G184)+K108L, delta(D183-G184)+K108Q, delta(D183-G184)+K108E, delta(D183-G184)+K108V, were constructed by the mega-primer method as described by Sarkar and Sommer ,1990 (BioTechniques 8: 404-407):

PCR is carried out with primer DA03 and mutagenesis primer DA20 on pTVB112-like plasmid (with mutations delta(D183-G184)). The resulting DNA fragment is used as a mega-primer together with primer DA01 in a PCR on pTVB112-like plasmid (with mutations delta(D183-G184)). The approximately 920 bp product of the second PCR is digested with restriction endonucleases Aat II and Mlu I and cloned into pTVB112-like plasmid (delta(D183-G184)) digested with the same enzymes.

primer DA20 (SQ ID NO:26): 5′ GTGATGAACCACSWAGGTGGAGCTGATGC 3′

S represents a mixture of the two bases: C and G used in the synthesis of the mutagenic oligonucleotide and W represents a mixture of the two bases: A and T used in the synthesis of the mutagenic oligonucleotide.

Sequencing of transformants identifies the correct codon for amino acid position 108 in the mature amylase.

Construction of the variants: delta(D183-G184)+D168A, delta(D183-G184)+D168I, delta(D183-G184)+D168V, delta(D183-G184)+D168T is carried out in a similar way except that mutagenic primer DA14 is used.

primer DA14 (SEQ ID NO:27): 5′ GATGGTGTATGGRYCAATCACGACAATTCC 3′

R represents a mixture of the two bases: A and G used in the synthesis of the mutagenic oligonucleotide and Y represents a mixture of the two bases: C and T used in the synthesis of the mutagenic oligonucleotide.

Sequencing of transformants identifies the correct codon for amino acid position 168 in the mature amylase.

Construction of the variant: delta(D183-G184)+Q169N is carried out in a similar way except that mutagenic primer DA15 is used.

primer DA15 (SEQ ID NO:28): 5′ GGTGTATGGGATAACTCACGACAATTCC 3′

Construction of the variant: delta(D183-G184)+Q169L is carried out in a similar way except that mutagenic primer DA16 is used.

primer DA16 (SEQ ID NO:29): 5′ GGTGTATGGGATCTCTCACGACAATTCC 3′

Construction of the variant: delta(D183-G184)+Q172N is carried out in a similar way except that mutagenic primer DA17 is used.

primer DA17 (SEQ ID NO:30): 5′ GGGATCAATCACGAAATTTCCAAAATCGTATC 3′

Construction of the variant: delta(D183-G184)+Q172L is carried out in a similar way except that mutagenic primer DA18 is used.

primer DA18 (SEQ ID NO:31): 5′ GGGATCAATCACGACTCTTCCAAAATCGTATC 3′

Construction of the variant: delta(D183-G184)+L201I is carried out in a similar way except that mutagenic primer DA06 is used.

primer DA06 (SEQ ID NO:32): 5′ GGAAATTATGATTATATCATGTATGCAGATGTAG 3′

Construction of the variant: delta(D183-G184)+K269S is carried out in a similar way except that mutagenic primer DA09 is used.

primer DA09 (SEQ ID NO:33): 5′ GCTGAATTTTGGTCGAATGATTTAGGTGCC 3′

Construction of the variant: delta(D183-G184)+K269Q is carried out in a similar way except that mutagenic primer DA11 is used.

primer DA11 (SEQ ID NO:34): 5′ GCTGAATTTTGGTCGAATGATTTAGGTGCC 3′

Construction of the variant: delta(D183-G184)+N270Y is carried out in a similar way except that mutagenic primer DA21 is used.

primer DA21 (SEQ ID NO:35): 5′ GAATTTTGGAAGTACGATTTAGGTCGG 3′

Construction of the variants: delta(D183-G184)+L272A, delta(D183-G184)+L272I, delta(D183-G184)+L272V, delta(D183-G184)+L272T is carried out in a similar way except that mutagenic primer DA12 is used.

primer DA12 (SEQ ID NO:36): 5′ GGAAAAACGATRYCGGTGCCTTGGAGAAC 3′

R represents a mixture of the two bases: A and G used in the synthesis of the mutagenic oligonucleotide and Y represents a mixture of the two bases: C and T used in the synthesis of the mutagenic oligonucleotide. Sequencing of transformants identifies the correct codon for amino acid position 272 in the mature amylase.

Construction of the variants: delta(D183-G184)+L275A, delta(D183-G184)+L275I, delta(D183-G184)+L275V, delta(D183-G184)+L27ST is carried out in a similar way except that mutagenic primer DA13 is used.

primer DA13 (SEQ ID NO:37): 5′ GATTTAGGTGCCTRYCAGAACTATTTA 3′

R represents a mixture of the two bases: A and G used in the synthesis of the mutagenic oligonucleotide and Y represents a mixture of the two bases: C and T used in the synthesis of the mutagenic oligonucleotide. Sequencing of transformants identifies the correct codon for amino acid position 275 in the mature amylase.

Construction of the variant: delta(D183-G184)+Y295E is carried out in a similar way except that mutagenic primer DA08 is used.

primer DA08 (SEQ ID NO:38): 5′ CCCCCTTCATGAGAATCTTTATAACG 3′

Construction of delta(D183-G184)+K446Q by the mega-primer method as described by Sarkar and Sommer,1990 (BioTechniques 8: 404-407):

Gene specific primer DA04, annealing 214-231 bp downstream relative to the STOP-codon and mutagenic primer DA10 were used to amplify by PCR an approximately 350 bp DNA fragment from a pTVB112-like plasmid (with the delta(D183-G184) mutations in the gene encoding the amylase depicted in SEQ ID NO: 2).

The resulting DNA fragment is used as a mega-primer together with primer DA05 in a PCR on pTVB112 like plasmid (with mutations delta(D183-G184)). The app. 460 bp product of the second PCR is digested with restriction endonucleases SnaB I and Not I and cloned into pTVB112 like plasmid (delta(D183-G184)) digested with the same enzymes.

primer DA04 (SEQ ID NO:39): 5′ GAATCCGAACCTCATTACACATTCG 3′

primer DA05 (SEQ ID NO:40): 5′ CGGATGGACTCGAGAAGGAAATACCACG 3′

primer DA10 (SEQ ID NO:41): 5′ CGTAGGGCAAAATCAGGCCGGTCAAGTTTGG 3′

Construction of the variants: delta(D183-G184)+K458R is carried out in a similar way except that mutagenic primer DA22 is used.

primer DA22 (SEQ ID NO:42): 5′ CATAACTGGAAATCGCCCGGGAACAGTTACG 3′

Construction of the variants: delta(D183-G184)+P459S and delta(D183-G184)+P459T is carried out in a similar way except that mutagenic primer DA19 is used.

primer DA19 (SEQ ID NO:43): 5′ CTGGAAATAAAWCCGGAACAGTTACG 3′

W represents a mixture of the two bases: A and T used in the synthesis of the mutagenic oligonucleotide. Sequencing of transformants identifies the correct codon for amino acid position 459 in the mature amylase.

Construction of the variants: delta(D183-G184)+T461P is carried out in a similar way except that mutagenic primer DA23 is used.

primer DA23 (SEQ ID NO:44): 5′ GGAAATAAACCAGGACCCGTTACGATCAATGC 3′

Construction of the variant: delta(D183-G184)+K142R is carried out in a similar way except that mutagenic primer DA32 is used.

Primer DA32 (SEQ ID NO: 45): 5′ GAGGCTTGGACTAGGTTTGATTTTCCAG 3′

Construction of the variant: delta(D183-G184)+K269R is carried out in a similar way except that mutagenic primer DA31 is used.

Primer DA31 (SEQ ID NO: 46): 5′ GCTGAATTTTGGCGCAATGATTTAGGTGCC 3′

Example 6

Construction of Site-directed α-amylase Variants in the Parent Termamyl α-amylase (SEQ ID NO: 4)

The amyL gene, encoding the Termamyl α-amylase is located in plasmid pDN1528 described in WO 95/10603 (Novo Nordisk). Variants with substitutions N265R and N265D, respectively, of said parent α-amylase are constructed by methods described in WO 97/41213 or by the “megaprimer” approach described above.

Mutagenic Oligonucleotides are:

Primer b11 for the N265R substitution: 5′ PCC AGC GCG CCT AGG TCA CGC TGC CAA TAT TCA G (SEQ ID NO: 56)

Primer b12 for the N265D substitution: 5′ PCC AGC GCG CCT AGG TCA TCC TGC CAA TAT TCA G (SEQ ID NO: 57)

P represents a phosphate group.

Example 7

Determination of pH Stability at Alkaline pH of Variants of the Parent α-Amylase Having the Amino Acid Sequence Shown in SEQ ID NO:2.

In this serie of analysis purified enzyme samples were used. The measurements were made using solutions of the respective variants in 100 mM CAPS buffer adjusted to pH 10.5. The solutions were incubated at 75° C.

After incubation for 20 and 30 min the residual activity was measured using the PNP-G7 assay (described in the “Materials and Methods” section above). The residual activity in the samples was measured using Britton Robinson buffer pH 7.3. The decline in residual activity was measured relative to a corresponding reference solution of the same enzyme at 0 minutes, which has not been incubated at high pH and 75° C.

The percentage of the initial activity as a function is shown in the table below for the parent enzyme (SEQ ID NO: 2) and for the variants in question.

Residual activity Residual activity Variant after 20 min after 30 min Δ(D183-G184) + M323L 56% 44% Δ(D183-G184) + M323L + R181S 67% 55% Δ(D183-G184) + M323L + A186T 62% 50%

In an other series of analysis culture supernatants were used. The measurements were made using solutions of the respective variants in 100 mM CAPS buffer adjusted to pH 10.5. The solutions were incubated at 80° C.

After incubation for 30 minutes the residual activity was measured using the Phadebas assay (described in the “Materials and Method” secion above. The residual activity in the samples was measured using Britton Robinson buffer pH 7.3. The decline in residual activity was measured relative to a corresponding reference solution of the same enzyme at 0 minutes, which has not been incubated at high pH and 80° C.

The percentage of the initial activity as a function is shown in the table below for the parent enzyme (SEQ ID NO: 2) and for the variants in question.

Residual activity Variant after 30 min Δ(D183-G184)  4% Δ(D183-G184) + P459T 25% Δ(D183-G184) + K458R 31% Δ(D183-G184) + K311R 10%

Example 8

Determination of Calcium Stability at Alkaline pH of Variants of the Parent α-Amylase Having the Amino Acid Sequence Shown in SEQ ID NO: 1, SEQ ID NO: 2 and SEQ ID NO: 4.

A: Calcium Stability of Variants of the Sequence in SEQ ID NO: 1

The measurement were made using solutions of the respective variants in 100 mM CAPS buffer adjusted to pH 10.5 to which polyphosphate was added (at time t=0) to give a final concentration of 2400 ppm. The solutions were incubated at 50° C.

After incubation for 20 and 30 minutes the residual activity was measured using the PNP-G7 assay (described above). The residual activity in the samples was measured using Britton Robinson buffer pH 7.3. The decline in residual activity was measured relative to a corresponding reference solution of the same enzyme at 0 minutes, which has not been incubated at high pH and 50° C.

The percentage of the initial activity as a function is shown in the table below for the parent enzyme (SEQ ID NO: 1) and for the variants in question.

Residual activity Residual activity Variant after 20 min after 30 min Δ(T183-G184) 32% 19% Δ(T183-G184) + A186T 36% 23% Δ(T183-G184) + K185R + A186T 45% 29% Δ(T183-G184) + A186I 35% 20% Δ(T183-G184) + N195F 44% n.d. n.d. = Not determinated

B: Calcium Stability of Variants of the Sequence in SEQ ID NO: 2

In this serie of analysis purified samples of enzymes were used. The measurement were made using solutions of the respective variants in 100 mM CAPS buffer adjusted to pH 10.5 to which polyphosphate was added (at time t=0) to give a final concentration of 2400 ppm. The solutions were incubated at 50° C.

After incubation for 20 and 30 minutes the residual activity was measured using the PNP-G7 assay (described above). The residual activity in the samples was measured using Britton Robinson buffer pH 7.3. The decline in residual activity was measured relative to a corresponding reference solution of the same enzyme at 0 minutes, which has not been incubated at high pH and 50° C.

The percentage of the initial activity as a function is shown in the table below for the parent enzyme (SEQ ID NO: 2) and for the variants in question.

Residual activity Residual activity Variant after 20 min after 30 min Δ(D183-G184) + M323L 21% 13% Δ(D183-G184) + M323L + R181S 32% 19% Δ(D183-G184) + M323L + A186T 28% 17% Δ(D183-G184) + M323L + A186R 30% 18% Δ(D183-G184) 30% 20% Δ(D183-G184) + N195F 55% 44%

In this serie of analysis culture supernatants were used. The measurement were made using solutions of the respective variants in 100 mM CAPS buffer adjusted to pH 10.5 to which polyphosphate was added (at time t=0) to give a final concentration of 2400 ppm. The solutions were incubated at 50° C.

After incubation for 30 minutes the residual activity was measured using the Phadebas assay as described above. The residual activity in the samples was measured using Britton Robinson buffer pH 7.3. The decline in residual activity was measured relative to a corresponding reference solution of the same enzyme at 0 minutes, which has not been incubated at high pH and 50° C.

The percentage of the initial activity as a function is shown in the table below for the parent enzyme (SEQ ID NO: 2) and for the variants in question.

Residual activity Variant after 30 min Δ(D183-G184)  0% Δ(D183-G184) + P459T 19% Δ(D183-G184) + K458R 18% Δ(D183-G184) + T461P 13% Δ(D183-G184) + E346Q + K385R  4%

C: Calcium Stability of Variants of the Sequence in SEQ ID NO: 4

The measurement were made using solutions of the respective variants in 100 mM CAPS buffer adjusted to pH 10.5 to which polyphosphate was added (at time t=0) to give a final concentration of 2400 ppm. The solutions were incubated at 60° C. for 20 minutes.

After incubation for 20 minutes the residual activity was measured using the PNP-G7 assay (described above). The residual activity in the samples was measured using Britton Robinson buffer pH 7.3. The decline in residual activity was measured relative to a corresponding reference solution of the same enzyme at 0 minutes, which has not been incubated at high pH and 60° C.

The percentage of the initial activity as a function is shown in the table below for the parent enzyme (SEQ ID NO: 4) and for the variants in question.

Residual activity after Variant 20 min Termamyl (SEQ ID NO: 4) 17% N265R 28% N265D 25%

Example 9

Activity Measurement at Medium Temperature of α-Amylases Having the Amino Acid Sequence Shown in SEQ ID NO: 1.

A: α-Amylase Activity of Variants of the Sequence in SEQ ID NO: 1

The measurement were made using solutions of the respective variants in 50 mM Britton Robinson buffer adjusted to pH 7.3 and using the Phadebas assay described above. The activity in the samples was measured at 37° C. using 50 mM Britton Robinson buffer pH 7.3 and at 25° C. using 50 mM CAPS buffer pH 10.5.

The temperature dependent activity and the percentage of the activity at 25° C. relative to the activity at 37° C. is shown in the table below for the parent enzyme (SEQ ID NO: 1) and for the variants in question.

NU(25° C.)/ Variant NU/mg 25° C. NU/mg 37° C. NU(37° C.) SP690 1440 35000  4.1% Δ(T183-G184) 2900 40000  7.3% Δ(T183-G184) + K269S 1860 12000 15.5% Δ(Q174) 3830 38000  7.9%

Another measurement was made using solutions of the respective variants in 50 mM Britton Robinson buffer adjusted to pH 7.3 and using the Phadebas assay described above. The activity in the samples was measured at 37° C. and 50° C. using 50 mM Britton Robinson buffer pH 7.3.

The temperature dependent activity and the percentage of the activity at 37° C. relative to the activity at 50° C. is shown in the table below for the parent enzyme (SEQ ID NO: 1) and for the variants in question.

NU(37° C.)/ Variant NU/mg 37° C. NU/mg 50° C. NU(50° C.) SP690 (seq ID NO: 1) 13090 21669 60% K269Q  7804 10063 78%

B: α-Amylase Activity of Variants of the Sequence in SEQ ID NO:2

The measurement were made using solutions of the respective variants in 50 mM Britton Robinson buffer adjusted to pH 7.3 and using the Phadebas assay described above. The activity in the samples was measured at both 25° C. and 37° C. using 50 mM Britton Robinson buffer pH 7.3.

The temperature dependent activity and the percentage of the activity at 25° C. relative to the activity at 37° C. is shown in the table below for the parent enzyme (SEQ ID NO: 2) and for the variants in question.

NU/mg NU/mg NU(25° C.)/ Variant 25° C. 37° C. NU(37° C.) Δ(D183-G184) + M323L  3049 10202 30% Δ(D183-G184) + M323L + R181S 18695 36436 51%

C: α-Amylase Activity of Variants of the Sequence in SEQ ID NO:4

The measurement were made using solutions of the respective variants in 50 mM Britton Robinson buffer adjusted to pH 7.3 and using the Phadebas assay described above. The activity in the samples was measured at both 37° C. using 50 mM Britton Robinson buffer pH 7.3 and at 60° C. using 50 mM CAPS buffer pH 10.5.

The temperature dependent activity and the percentage of the activity at 37° C. relative to the activity at 60° C. is shown in the table below for the parent enzyme (SEQ ID NO: 4) and for the variants in question.

Variant NU/mg 37° C. NU/mg 60° C. NU(37° C.)/NU(60° C.) Termamyl  7400 4350 170% Q264S 10000 4650 215%

Example 10

Construction of Variants of Parent Hybrid BAN:1-300/Termamyl:301-483 α-amylase

Plasmid pTVB191 contains the gene encoding hybrid α-amylase BAN:1-300/Termamyl:301-483 as well as an origin of replication functional in Bacillus subtilis and the cat gene conferring chloramphenicol resistance.

Variant BM4 (F290E) was constructed using the megaprimer approach (Sarkar and Sommer, 1990) with plasmid pTVB191 as template.

Primer p1 (SEQ ID NO: 52) and mutagenic oligonucleotide bm4 (SEQ ID NO: 47) were used to amplify a 444 bp fragment with polymerase chain reaction (PCR) under standard conditions. This fragment was purified from an agarose gel and used as ‘Megaprimer’ in a second PCR with primer p2 (SEQ ID NO: 53) resulting in a 531 bp fragment. This fragment was digested with restriction endonucleases HinDIII and Tth111I. The 389 bp fragment produced by this was ligated into plasmid pTVB191 that had been cleaved with the same two enzymes. The resulting plasmid was transformed into B. subtilis SHA273. Chloramphenicol resistant clones were selected by growing the transformants on plates containing chloramphenicol as well as insoluble starch. Clones expressing an active α-amylase were isolated by selecting clones that formed halos after staining the plates with iodine vapour. The identity of the introduced mutations was confirmed by DNA sequencing.

Variants BM5(F290K), BM6(F290A), BM8(Q360E) and BM11(N102D) were constructed in a similar way. Details of their construction are given below.

Variant: BM5 (F290K)

mutagenic oligonucleotide: bm5 (SEQ ID NO: 48)

Primer (1st PCR): p1 (SEQ ID NO: 52)

Size of resulting fragment: 444 bp

Primer (2nd PCR): p2 (SEQ ID NO: 53)

Restriction endonucleases: HinDIII, Tth111I

Size of cleaved fragment: 389 bp

Variant: BM6(F290A)

mutagenic oligonucleotide: bm6 (SEQ ID NO: 49)

Primer (1st PCR): p1 (SEQ ID NO: 52)

Size of resulting fragment: 444 bp

Primer (2nd PCR): p2 (SEQ ID NO: 53)

Restriction endonucleases: HinDIII, Tth111I

Size of cleaved fragment: 389 bp

Variant: BM8(Q360E)

mutagenic oligonucleotide: bm8 (SEQ ID NO: 50)

Primer (1st PCR): p1 (SEQ ID NO: 52)

Size of resulting fragment: 230 bp

Primer (2nd PCR): p2 (SEQ ID NO: 53)

Restriction endonucleases: HinDIII, Tth111I

Size of cleaved fragment: 389 bp

Variant: BM11(N102D)

mutagenic oligonucleotide: bm11 (SEQ ID NO: 51)

Primer (1st PCR): p3 (SEQ ID NO: 54)

Size of resulting fragment: 577

Primer (2nd PCR): p4 (SEQ ID NO: 55)

Restriction endonucleases: HinDIII, PvuI

Size of cleaved fragment: 576

Mutagenic Oligonucleotides:

bm4 (SEQ ID NO: 47): F290E

primer 5′ GTG TTT GAC GTC CCG CTT CAT GAG AAT TTA CAG G

bm5 (SEQ ID NO: 48): F290K

primer 5′ GTG TTT GAC GTC CCG CTT CAT AAG AAT TTA CAG G

bm6 (SEQ ID NO: 49): F290A

primer 5′ GTG TTT GAC GTC CCG CTT CAT GCC AAT TTA CAG G bm8 (SEQ ID NO: 50): Q360E

primer 5′ AGG GAA TCC GGA TAC CCT GAG GTT TTC TAC GG

bm11 (SEQ ID NO: 51): N102D

primer 5′ GAT GTG GTT TTG GAT CAT AAG GCC GGC GCT GAT G

Other Primers:

p1: 5′ CTG TTA TTA ATG CCG CCA AAC C (SEQ ID NO: 52)

p2: 5′ G GAA AAG AAA TGT TTA CGG TTG CG (SEQ ID NO: 53)

p3: 5′ G AAA TGA AGC GGA ACA TCA AAC ACG (SEQ ID NO: 54)

p4: 5′ GTA TGA TTT AGG AGA ATT CC (SEQ ID NO: 55)

Example 11

α-Amylase Activity at Alkaline pH of Variants of Parent BAN:1-300/Termamyl:301-483 Hybrid α-amylase.

The measurements were made using solutions for the respective enzymes and utilizing the Phadebas assay (described above). The activity was measured after incubating for 15 minutes at 30° C. in 50 mM Britton-Robinson buffer adjusted to the indicated pH by NaOH.

NU/mg Enzyme

pH wt Q360E F290A F290K F290E N102D 8.0 5300 7800 8300 4200 6600 6200 9.0 1600 2700 3400 2100 1900 1900

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S. D. Erlich, 1977, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. 74, pp. 1680-1682.

Boel et al., 1990, Biochemistry 29, pp. 6244-6249.

58 1 485 PRT Bacillus 1 His His Asn Gly Thr Asn Gly Thr Met Met Gln Tyr Phe Glu Trp Tyr 1 5 10 15 Leu Pro Asn Asp Gly Asn His Trp Asn Arg Leu Arg Asp Asp Ala Ala 20 25 30 Asn Leu Lys Ser Lys Gly Ile Thr Ala Val Trp Ile Pro Pro Ala Trp 35 40 45 Lys Gly Thr Ser Gln Asn Asp Val Gly Tyr Gly Ala Tyr Asp Leu Tyr 50 55 60 Asp Leu Gly Glu Phe Asn Gln Lys Gly Thr Val Arg Thr Lys Tyr Gly 65 70 75 80 Thr Arg Asn Gln Leu Gln Ala Ala Val Thr Ser Leu Lys Asn Asn Gly 85 90 95 Ile Gln Val Tyr Gly Asp Val Val Met Asn His Lys Gly Gly Ala Asp 100 105 110 Gly Thr Glu Ile Val Asn Ala Val Glu Val Asn Arg Ser Asn Arg Asn 115 120 125 Gln Glu Thr Ser Gly Glu Tyr Ala Ile Glu Ala Trp Thr Lys Phe Asp 130 135 140 Phe Pro Gly Arg Gly Asn Asn His Ser Ser Phe Lys Trp Arg Trp Tyr 145 150 155 160 His Phe Asp Gly Thr Asp Trp Asp Gln Ser Arg Gln Leu Gln Asn Lys 165 170 175 Ile Tyr Lys Phe Arg Gly Thr Gly Lys Ala Trp Asp Trp Glu Val Asp 180 185 190 Thr Glu Asn Gly Asn Tyr Asp Tyr Leu Met Tyr Ala Asp Val Asp Met 195 200 205 Asp His Pro Glu Val Ile His Glu Leu Arg Asn Trp Gly Val Trp Tyr 210 215 220 Thr Asn Thr Leu Asn Leu Asp Gly Phe Arg Ile Asp Ala Val Lys His 225 230 235 240 Ile Lys Tyr Ser Phe Thr Arg Asp Trp Leu Thr His Val Arg Asn Thr 245 250 255 Thr Gly Lys Pro Met Phe Ala Val Ala Glu Phe Trp Lys Asn Asp Leu 260 265 270 Gly Ala Ile Glu Asn Tyr Leu Asn Lys Thr Ser Trp Asn His Ser Val 275 280 285 Phe Asp Val Pro Leu His Tyr Asn Leu Tyr Asn Ala Ser Asn Ser Gly 290 295 300 Gly Tyr Tyr Asp Met Arg Asn Ile Leu Asn Gly Ser Val Val Gln Lys 305 310 315 320 His Pro Thr His Ala Val Thr Phe Val Asp Asn His Asp Ser Gln Pro 325 330 335 Gly Glu Ala Leu Glu Ser Phe Val Gln Gln Trp Phe Lys Pro Leu Ala 340 345 350 Tyr Ala Leu Val Leu Thr Arg Glu Gln Gly Tyr Pro Ser Val Phe Tyr 355 360 365 Gly Asp Tyr Tyr Gly Ile Pro Thr His Gly Val Pro Ala Met Lys Ser 370 375 380 Lys Ile Asp Pro Leu Leu Gln Ala Arg Gln Thr Phe Ala Tyr Gly Thr 385 390 395 400 Gln His Asp Tyr Phe Asp His His Asp Ile Ile Gly Trp Thr Arg Glu 405 410 415 Gly Asn Ser Ser His Pro Asn Ser Gly Leu Ala Thr Ile Met Ser Asp 420 425 430 Gly Pro Gly Gly Asn Lys Trp Met Tyr Val Gly Lys Asn Lys Ala Gly 435 440 445 Gln Val Trp Arg Asp Ile Thr Gly Asn Arg Thr Gly Thr Val Thr Ile 450 455 460 Asn Ala Asp Gly Trp Gly Asn Phe Ser Val Asn Gly Gly Ser Val Ser 465 470 475 480 Val Trp Val Lys Gln 485 2 485 PRT Bacillus sp. 2 His His Asn Gly Thr Asn Gly Thr Met Met Gln Tyr Phe Glu Trp His 1 5 10 15 Leu Pro Asn Asp Gly Asn His Trp Asn Arg Leu Arg Asp Asp Ala Ser 20 25 30 Asn Leu Arg Asn Arg Gly Ile Thr Ala Ile Trp Ile Pro Pro Ala Trp 35 40 45 Lys Gly Thr Ser Gln Asn Asp Val Gly Tyr Gly Ala Tyr Asp Leu Tyr 50 55 60 Asp Leu Gly Glu Phe Asn Gln Lys Gly Thr Val Arg Thr Lys Tyr Gly 65 70 75 80 Thr Arg Ser Gln Leu Glu Ser Ala Ile His Ala Leu Lys Asn Asn Gly 85 90 95 Val Gln Val Tyr Gly Asp Val Val Met Asn His Lys Gly Gly Ala Asp 100 105 110 Ala Thr Glu Asn Val Leu Ala Val Glu Val Asn Pro Asn Asn Arg Asn 115 120 125 Gln Glu Ile Ser Gly Asp Tyr Thr Ile Glu Ala Trp Thr Lys Phe Asp 130 135 140 Phe Pro Gly Arg Gly Asn Thr Tyr Ser Asp Phe Lys Trp Arg Trp Tyr 145 150 155 160 His Phe Asp Gly Val Asp Trp Asp Gln Ser Arg Gln Phe Gln Asn Arg 165 170 175 Ile Tyr Lys Phe Arg Gly Asp Gly Lys Ala Trp Asp Trp Glu Val Asp 180 185 190 Ser Glu Asn Gly Asn Tyr Asp Tyr Leu Met Tyr Ala Asp Val Asp Met 195 200 205 Asp His Pro Glu Val Val Asn Glu Leu Arg Arg Trp Gly Glu Trp Tyr 210 215 220 Thr Asn Thr Leu Asn Leu Asp Gly Phe Arg Ile Asp Ala Val Lys His 225 230 235 240 Ile Lys Tyr Ser Phe Thr Arg Asp Trp Leu Thr His Val Arg Asn Ala 245 250 255 Thr Gly Lys Glu Met Phe Ala Val Ala Glu Phe Trp Lys Asn Asp Leu 260 265 270 Gly Ala Leu Glu Asn Tyr Leu Asn Lys Thr Asn Trp Asn His Ser Val 275 280 285 Phe Asp Val Pro Leu His Tyr Asn Leu Tyr Asn Ala Ser Asn Ser Gly 290 295 300 Gly Asn Tyr Asp Met Ala Lys Leu Leu Asn Gly Thr Val Val Gln Lys 305 310 315 320 His Pro Met His Ala Val Thr Phe Val Asp Asn His Asp Ser Gln Pro 325 330 335 Gly Glu Ser Leu Glu Ser Phe Val Gln Glu Trp Phe Lys Pro Leu Ala 340 345 350 Tyr Ala Leu Ile Leu Thr Arg Glu Gln Gly Tyr Pro Ser Val Phe Tyr 355 360 365 Gly Asp Tyr Tyr Gly Ile Pro Thr His Ser Val Pro Ala Met Lys Ala 370 375 380 Lys Ile Asp Pro Ile Leu Glu Ala Arg Gln Asn Phe Ala Tyr Gly Thr 385 390 395 400 Gln His Asp Tyr Phe Asp His His Asn Ile Ile Gly Trp Thr Arg Glu 405 410 415 Gly Asn Thr Thr His Pro Asn Ser Gly Leu Ala Thr Ile Met Ser Asp 420 425 430 Gly Pro Gly Gly Glu Lys Trp Met Tyr Val Gly Gln Asn Lys Ala Gly 435 440 445 Gln Val Trp His Asp Ile Thr Gly Asn Lys Pro Gly Thr Val Thr Ile 450 455 460 Asn Ala Asp Gly Trp Ala Asn Phe Ser Val Asn Gly Gly Ser Val Ser 465 470 475 480 Ile Trp Val Lys Arg 485 3 514 PRT Bacillus stearothermophilus 3 Ala Ala Pro Phe Asn Gly Thr Met Met Gln Tyr Phe Glu Trp Tyr Leu 1 5 10 15 Pro Asp Asp Gly Thr Leu Trp Thr Lys Val Ala Asn Glu Ala Asn Asn 20 25 30 Leu Ser Ser Leu Gly Ile Thr Ala Leu Trp Leu Pro Pro Ala Tyr Lys 35 40 45 Gly Thr Ser Arg Ser Asp Val Gly Tyr Gly Val Tyr Asp Leu Tyr Asp 50 55 60 Leu Gly Glu Phe Asn Gln Lys Gly Ala Val Arg Thr Lys Tyr Gly Thr 65 70 75 80 Lys Ala Gln Tyr Leu Gln Ala Ile Gln Ala Ala His Ala Ala Gly Met 85 90 95 Gln Val Tyr Ala Asp Val Val Phe Asp His Lys Gly Gly Ala Asp Gly 100 105 110 Thr Glu Trp Val Asp Ala Val Glu Val Asn Pro Ser Asp Arg Asn Gln 115 120 125 Glu Ile Ser Gly Thr Tyr Gln Ile Gln Ala Trp Thr Lys Phe Asp Phe 130 135 140 Pro Gly Arg Gly Asn Thr Tyr Ser Ser Phe Lys Trp Arg Trp Tyr His 145 150 155 160 Phe Asp Gly Val Asp Trp Asp Glu Ser Arg Lys Leu Ser Arg Ile Tyr 165 170 175 Lys Phe Arg Gly Ile Gly Lys Ala Trp Asp Trp Glu Val Asp Thr Glu 180 185 190 Asn Gly Asn Tyr Asp Tyr Leu Met Tyr Ala Asp Leu Asp Met Asp His 195 200 205 Pro Glu Val Val Thr Glu Leu Lys Ser Trp Gly Lys Trp Tyr Val Asn 210 215 220 Thr Thr Asn Ile Asp Gly Phe Arg Leu Asp Ala Val Lys His Ile Lys 225 230 235 240 Phe Ser Phe Phe Pro Asp Trp Leu Ser Asp Val Arg Ser Gln Thr Gly 245 250 255 Lys Pro Leu Phe Thr Val Gly Glu Tyr Trp Ser Tyr Asp Ile Asn Lys 260 265 270 Leu His Asn Tyr Ile Met Lys Thr Asn Gly Thr Met Ser Leu Phe Asp 275 280 285 Ala Pro Leu His Asn Lys Phe Tyr Thr Ala Ser Lys Ser Gly Gly Thr 290 295 300 Phe Asp Met Arg Thr Leu Met Thr Asn Thr Leu Met Lys Asp Gln Pro 305 310 315 320 Thr Leu Ala Val Thr Phe Val Asp Asn His Asp Thr Glu Pro Gly Gln 325 330 335 Ala Leu Gln Ser Trp Val Asp Pro Trp Phe Lys Pro Leu Ala Tyr Ala 340 345 350 Phe Ile Leu Thr Arg Gln Glu Gly Tyr Pro Cys Val Phe Tyr Gly Asp 355 360 365 Tyr Tyr Gly Ile Pro Gln Tyr Asn Ile Pro Ser Leu Lys Ser Lys Ile 370 375 380 Asp Pro Leu Leu Ile Ala Arg Arg Asp Tyr Ala Tyr Gly Thr Gln His 385 390 395 400 Asp Tyr Leu Asp His Ser Asp Ile Ile Gly Trp Thr Arg Glu Gly Val 405 410 415 Thr Glu Lys Pro Gly Ser Gly Leu Ala Ala Leu Ile Thr Asp Gly Pro 420 425 430 Gly Gly Ser Lys Trp Met Tyr Val Gly Lys Gln His Ala Gly Lys Val 435 440 445 Phe Tyr Asp Leu Thr Gly Asn Arg Ser Asp Thr Val Thr Ile Asn Ser 450 455 460 Asp Gly Trp Gly Glu Phe Lys Val Asn Gly Gly Ser Val Ser Val Trp 465 470 475 480 Val Pro Arg Lys Thr Thr Val Ser Thr Ile Ala Trp Ser Ile Thr Thr 485 490 495 Arg Pro Trp Thr Asp Glu Phe Val Arg Trp Thr Glu Pro Arg Leu Val 500 505 510 Ala Trp 4 483 PRT Bacillus licheniformis 4 Ala Asn Leu Asn Gly Thr Leu Met Gln Tyr Phe Glu Trp Tyr Met Pro 1 5 10 15 Asn Asp Gly Gln His Trp Arg Arg Leu Gln Asn Asp Ser Ala Tyr Leu 20 25 30 Ala Glu His Gly Ile Thr Ala Val Trp Ile Pro Pro Ala Tyr Lys Gly 35 40 45 Thr Ser Gln Ala Asp Val Gly Tyr Gly Ala Tyr Asp Leu Tyr Asp Leu 50 55 60 Gly Glu Phe His Gln Lys Gly Thr Val Arg Thr Lys Tyr Gly Thr Lys 65 70 75 80 Gly Glu Leu Gln Ser Ala Ile Lys Ser Leu His Ser Arg Asp Ile Asn 85 90 95 Val Tyr Gly Asp Val Val Ile Asn His Lys Gly Gly Ala Asp Ala Thr 100 105 110 Glu Asp Val Thr Ala Val Glu Val Asp Pro Ala Asp Arg Asn Arg Val 115 120 125 Ile Ser Gly Glu His Leu Ile Lys Ala Trp Thr His Phe His Phe Pro 130 135 140 Gly Arg Gly Ser Thr Tyr Ser Asp Phe Lys Trp His Trp Tyr His Phe 145 150 155 160 Asp Gly Thr Asp Trp Asp Glu Ser Arg Lys Leu Asn Arg Ile Tyr Lys 165 170 175 Phe Gln Gly Lys Ala Trp Asp Trp Glu Val Ser Asn Glu Asn Gly Asn 180 185 190 Tyr Asp Tyr Leu Met Tyr Ala Asp Ile Asp Tyr Asp His Pro Asp Val 195 200 205 Ala Ala Glu Ile Lys Arg Trp Gly Thr Trp Tyr Ala Asn Glu Leu Gln 210 215 220 Leu Asp Gly Phe Arg Leu Asp Ala Val Lys His Ile Lys Phe Ser Phe 225 230 235 240 Leu Arg Asp Trp Val Asn His Val Arg Glu Lys Thr Gly Lys Glu Met 245 250 255 Phe Thr Val Ala Glu Tyr Trp Gln Asn Asp Leu Gly Ala Leu Glu Asn 260 265 270 Tyr Leu Asn Lys Thr Asn Phe Asn His Ser Val Phe Asp Val Pro Leu 275 280 285 His Tyr Gln Phe His Ala Ala Ser Thr Gln Gly Gly Gly Tyr Asp Met 290 295 300 Arg Lys Leu Leu Asn Gly Thr Val Val Ser Lys His Pro Leu Lys Ser 305 310 315 320 Val Thr Phe Val Asp Asn His Asp Thr Gln Pro Gly Gln Ser Leu Glu 325 330 335 Ser Thr Val Gln Thr Trp Phe Lys Pro Leu Ala Tyr Ala Phe Ile Leu 340 345 350 Thr Arg Glu Ser Gly Tyr Pro Gln Val Phe Tyr Gly Asp Met Tyr Gly 355 360 365 Thr Lys Gly Asp Ser Gln Arg Glu Ile Pro Ala Leu Lys His Lys Ile 370 375 380 Glu Pro Ile Leu Lys Ala Arg Lys Gln Tyr Ala Tyr Gly Ala Gln His 385 390 395 400 Asp Tyr Phe Asp His His Asp Ile Val Gly Trp Thr Arg Glu Gly Asp 405 410 415 Ser Ser Val Ala Asn Ser Gly Leu Ala Ala Leu Ile Thr Asp Gly Pro 420 425 430 Gly Gly Ala Lys Arg Met Tyr Val Gly Arg Gln Asn Ala Gly Glu Thr 435 440 445 Trp His Asp Ile Thr Gly Asn Arg Ser Glu Pro Val Val Ile Asn Ser 450 455 460 Glu Gly Trp Gly Glu Phe His Val Asn Gly Gly Ser Val Ser Ile Tyr 465 470 475 480 Val Gln Arg 5 480 PRT Bacillus amyloliqufaciens 5 Val Asn Gly Thr Leu Met Gln Tyr Phe Glu Trp Tyr Thr Pro Asn Asp 1 5 10 15 Gly Gln His Trp Lys Arg Leu Gln Asn Asp Ala Glu His Leu Ser Asp 20 25 30 Ile Gly Ile Thr Ala Val Trp Ile Pro Pro Ala Tyr Lys Gly Leu Ser 35 40 45 Gln Ser Asp Asn Gly Tyr Gly Pro Tyr Asp Leu Tyr Asp Leu Gly Glu 50 55 60 Phe Gln Gln Lys Gly Thr Val Arg Thr Lys Tyr Gly Thr Lys Ser Glu 65 70 75 80 Leu Gln Asp Ala Ile Gly Ser Leu His Ser Arg Asn Val Gln Val Tyr 85 90 95 Gly Asp Val Val Leu Asn His Lys Ala Gly Ala Asp Ala Thr Glu Asp 100 105 110 Val Thr Ala Val Glu Val Asn Pro Ala Asn Arg Asn Gln Glu Thr Ser 115 120 125 Glu Glu Tyr Gln Ile Lys Ala Trp Thr Asp Phe Arg Phe Pro Gly Arg 130 135 140 Gly Asn Thr Tyr Ser Asp Phe Lys Trp His Trp Tyr His Phe Asp Gly 145 150 155 160 Ala Asp Trp Asp Glu Ser Arg Lys Ile Ser Arg Ile Phe Lys Phe Arg 165 170 175 Gly Glu Gly Lys Ala Trp Asp Trp Glu Val Ser Ser Glu Asn Gly Asn 180 185 190 Tyr Asp Tyr Leu Met Tyr Ala Asp Val Asp Tyr Asp His Pro Asp Val 195 200 205 Val Ala Glu Thr Lys Lys Trp Gly Ile Trp Tyr Ala Asn Glu Leu Ser 210 215 220 Leu Asp Gly Phe Arg Ile Asp Ala Ala Lys His Ile Lys Phe Ser Phe 225 230 235 240 Leu Arg Asp Trp Val Gln Ala Val Arg Gln Ala Thr Gly Lys Glu Met 245 250 255 Phe Thr Val Ala Glu Tyr Trp Gln Asn Asn Ala Gly Lys Leu Glu Asn 260 265 270 Tyr Leu Asn Lys Thr Ser Phe Asn Gln Ser Val Phe Asp Val Pro Leu 275 280 285 His Phe Asn Leu Gln Ala Ala Ser Ser Gln Gly Gly Gly Tyr Asp Met 290 295 300 Arg Arg Leu Leu Asp Gly Thr Val Val Ser Arg His Pro Glu Lys Ala 305 310 315 320 Val Thr Phe Val Glu Asn His Asp Thr Gln Pro Gly Gln Ser Leu Glu 325 330 335 Ser Thr Val Gln Thr Trp Phe Lys Pro Leu Ala Tyr Ala Phe Ile Leu 340 345 350 Thr Arg Glu Ser Gly Tyr Pro Gln Val Phe Tyr Gly Asp Met Tyr Gly 355 360 365 Thr Lys Gly Thr Ser Pro Lys Glu Ile Pro Ser Leu Lys Asp Asn Ile 370 375 380 Glu Pro Ile Leu Lys Ala Arg Lys Glu Tyr Ala Tyr Gly Pro Gln His 385 390 395 400 Asp Tyr Ile Asp His Pro Asp Val Ile Gly Trp Thr Arg Glu Gly Asp 405 410 415 Ser Ser Ala Ala Lys Ser Gly Leu Ala Ala Leu Ile Thr Asp Gly Pro 420 425 430 Gly Gly Ser Lys Arg Met Tyr Ala Gly Leu Lys Asn Ala Gly Glu Thr 435 440 445 Trp Tyr Asp Ile Thr Gly Asn Arg Ser Asp Thr Val Lys Ile Gly Ser 450 455 460 Asp Gly Trp Gly Glu Phe His Val Asn Asp Gly Ser Val Ser Ile Tyr 465 470 475 480 6 485 PRT Bacillus sp. 6 His His Asn Gly Thr Asn Gly Thr Met Met Gln Tyr Phe Glu Trp Tyr 1 5 10 15 Leu Pro Asn Asp Gly Asn His Trp Asn Arg Leu Asn Ser Asp Ala Ser 20 25 30 Asn Leu Lys Ser Lys Gly Ile Thr Ala Val Trp Ile Pro Pro Ala Trp 35 40 45 Lys Gly Ala Ser Gln Asn Asp Val Gly Tyr Gly Ala Tyr Asp Leu Tyr 50 55 60 Asp Leu Gly Glu Phe Asn Gln Lys Gly Thr Val Arg Thr Lys Tyr Gly 65 70 75 80 Thr Arg Ser Gln Leu Gln Ala Ala Val Thr Ser Leu Lys Asn Asn Gly 85 90 95 Ile Gln Val Tyr Gly Asp Val Val Met Asn His Lys Gly Gly Ala Asp 100 105 110 Ala Thr Glu Met Val Arg Ala Val Glu Val Asn Pro Asn Asn Arg Asn 115 120 125 Gln Glu Val Thr Gly Glu Tyr Thr Ile Glu Ala Trp Thr Arg Phe Asp 130 135 140 Phe Pro Gly Arg Gly Asn Thr His Ser Ser Phe Lys Trp Arg Trp Tyr 145 150 155 160 His Phe Asp Gly Val Asp Trp Asp Gln Ser Arg Arg Leu Asn Asn Arg 165 170 175 Ile Tyr Lys Phe Arg Gly His Gly Lys Ala Trp Asp Trp Glu Val Asp 180 185 190 Thr Glu Asn Gly Asn Tyr Asp Tyr Leu Met Tyr Ala Asp Ile Asp Met 195 200 205 Asp His Pro Glu Val Val Asn Glu Leu Arg Asn Trp Gly Val Trp Tyr 210 215 220 Thr Asn Thr Leu Gly Leu Asp Gly Phe Arg Ile Asp Ala Val Lys His 225 230 235 240 Ile Lys Tyr Ser Phe Thr Arg Asp Trp Ile Asn His Val Arg Ser Ala 245 250 255 Thr Gly Lys Asn Met Phe Ala Val Ala Glu Phe Trp Lys Asn Asp Leu 260 265 270 Gly Ala Ile Glu Asn Tyr Leu Gln Lys Thr Asn Trp Asn His Ser Val 275 280 285 Phe Asp Val Pro Leu His Tyr Asn Leu Tyr Asn Ala Ser Lys Ser Gly 290 295 300 Gly Asn Tyr Asp Met Arg Asn Ile Phe Asn Gly Thr Val Val Gln Arg 305 310 315 320 His Pro Ser His Ala Val Thr Phe Val Asp Asn His Asp Ser Gln Pro 325 330 335 Glu Glu Ala Leu Glu Ser Phe Val Glu Glu Trp Phe Lys Pro Leu Ala 340 345 350 Tyr Ala Leu Thr Leu Thr Arg Glu Gln Gly Tyr Pro Ser Val Phe Tyr 355 360 365 Gly Asp Tyr Tyr Gly Ile Pro Thr His Gly Val Pro Ala Met Arg Ser 370 375 380 Lys Ile Asp Pro Ile Leu Glu Ala Arg Gln Lys Tyr Ala Tyr Gly Lys 385 390 395 400 Gln Asn Asp Tyr Leu Asp His His Asn Ile Ile Gly Trp Thr Arg Glu 405 410 415 Gly Asn Thr Ala His Pro Asn Ser Gly Leu Ala Thr Ile Met Ser Asp 420 425 430 Gly Ala Gly Gly Ser Lys Trp Met Phe Val Gly Arg Asn Lys Ala Gly 435 440 445 Gln Val Trp Ser Asp Ile Thr Gly Asn Arg Thr Gly Thr Val Thr Ile 450 455 460 Asn Ala Asp Gly Trp Gly Asn Phe Ser Val Asn Gly Gly Ser Val Ser 465 470 475 480 Ile Trp Val Asn Lys 485 7 485 PRT Bacillus sp. 7 His His Asn Gly Thr Asn Gly Thr Met Met Gln Tyr Phe Glu Trp Tyr 1 5 10 15 Leu Pro Asn Asp Gly Asn His Trp Asn Arg Leu Arg Asp Asp Ala Ala 20 25 30 Asn Leu Lys Ser Lys Gly Ile Thr Ala Val Trp Ile Pro Pro Ala Trp 35 40 45 Lys Gly Thr Ser Gln Asn Asp Val Gly Tyr Gly Ala Tyr Asp Leu Tyr 50 55 60 Asp Leu Gly Glu Phe Asn Gln Lys Gly Thr Val Arg Thr Lys Tyr Gly 65 70 75 80 Thr Arg Asn Gln Leu Gln Ala Ala Val Thr Ser Leu Lys Asn Asn Gly 85 90 95 Ile Gln Val Tyr Gly Asp Val Val Met Asn His Lys Gly Gly Ala Asp 100 105 110 Gly Thr Glu Ile Val Asn Ala Val Glu Val Asn Arg Ser Asn Arg Asn 115 120 125 Gln Glu Thr Ser Gly Glu Tyr Ala Ile Glu Ala Trp Thr Lys Phe Asp 130 135 140 Phe Pro Gly Arg Gly Asn Asn His Ser Ser Phe Lys Trp Arg Trp Tyr 145 150 155 160 His Phe Asp Gly Thr Asp Trp Asp Gln Ser Arg Gln Leu Gln Asn Lys 165 170 175 Ile Tyr Lys Phe Arg Gly Thr Gly Lys Ala Trp Asp Trp Glu Val Asp 180 185 190 Thr Glu Asn Gly Asn Tyr Asp Tyr Leu Met Tyr Ala Asp Val Asp Met 195 200 205 Asp His Pro Glu Val Ile His Glu Leu Arg Asn Trp Gly Val Trp Tyr 210 215 220 Thr Asn Thr Leu Asn Leu Asp Gly Phe Arg Ile Asp Ala Val Lys His 225 230 235 240 Ile Lys Tyr Ser Phe Thr Arg Asp Trp Leu Thr His Val Arg Asn Thr 245 250 255 Thr Gly Lys Pro Met Phe Ala Val Ala Glu Phe Trp Lys Asn Asp Leu 260 265 270 Gly Ala Ile Glu Asn Tyr Leu Asn Lys Thr Ser Trp Asn His Ser Val 275 280 285 Phe Asp Val Pro Leu His Tyr Asn Leu Tyr Asn Ala Ser Asn Ser Gly 290 295 300 Gly Tyr Tyr Asp Met Arg Asn Ile Leu Asn Gly Ser Val Val Gln Lys 305 310 315 320 His Pro Thr His Ala Val Thr Phe Val Asp Asn His Asp Ser Gln Pro 325 330 335 Gly Glu Ala Leu Glu Ser Phe Val Gln Gln Trp Phe Lys Pro Leu Ala 340 345 350 Tyr Ala Leu Val Leu Thr Arg Glu Gln Gly Tyr Pro Ser Val Phe Tyr 355 360 365 Gly Asp Tyr Tyr Gly Ile Pro Thr His Gly Val Pro Ala Met Lys Ser 370 375 380 Lys Ile Asp Pro Leu Leu Gln Ala Arg Gln Thr Phe Ala Tyr Gly Thr 385 390 395 400 Gln His Asp Tyr Phe Asp His His Asp Ile Ile Gly Trp Thr Arg Glu 405 410 415 Gly Asn Ser Ser His Pro Asn Ser Gly Leu Ala Thr Ile Met Ser Asp 420 425 430 Gly Pro Gly Gly Asn Lys Trp Met Tyr Val Gly Lys Asn Lys Ala Gly 435 440 445 Gln Val Trp Arg Asp Ile Thr Gly Asn Arg Thr Gly Thr Val Thr Ile 450 455 460 Asn Ala Asp Gly Trp Gly Asn Phe Ser Val Asn Gly Gly Ser Val Ser 465 470 475 480 Val Trp Val Lys Gln 485 8 485 PRT Bacillus sp. 8 His His Asn Gly Thr Asn Gly Thr Met Met Gln Tyr Phe Glu Trp His 1 5 10 15 Leu Pro Asn Asp Gly Asn His Trp Asn Arg Leu Arg Asp Asp Ala Ser 20 25 30 Asn Leu Arg Asn Arg Gly Ile Thr Ala Ile Trp Ile Pro Pro Ala Trp 35 40 45 Lys Gly Thr Ser Gln Asn Asp Val Gly Tyr Gly Ala Tyr Asp Leu Tyr 50 55 60 Asp Leu Gly Glu Phe Asn Gln Lys Gly Thr Val Arg Thr Lys Tyr Gly 65 70 75 80 Thr Arg Ser Gln Leu Glu Ser Ala Ile His Ala Leu Lys Asn Asn Gly 85 90 95 Val Gln Val Tyr Gly Asp Val Val Met Asn His Lys Gly Gly Ala Asp 100 105 110 Ala Thr Glu Asn Val Leu Ala Val Glu Val Asn Pro Asn Asn Arg Asn 115 120 125 Gln Glu Ile Ser Gly Asp Tyr Thr Ile Glu Ala Trp Thr Lys Phe Asp 130 135 140 Phe Pro Gly Arg Gly Asn Thr Tyr Ser Asp Phe Lys Trp Arg Trp Tyr 145 150 155 160 His Phe Asp Gly Val Asp Trp Asp Gln Ser Arg Gln Phe Gln Asn Arg 165 170 175 Ile Tyr Lys Phe Arg Gly Asp Gly Lys Ala Trp Asp Trp Glu Val Asp 180 185 190 Ser Glu Asn Gly Asn Tyr Asp Tyr Leu Met Tyr Ala Asp Val Asp Met 195 200 205 Asp His Pro Glu Val Val Asn Glu Leu Arg Arg Trp Gly Glu Trp Tyr 210 215 220 Thr Asn Thr Leu Asn Leu Asp Gly Phe Arg Ile Asp Ala Val Lys His 225 230 235 240 Ile Lys Tyr Ser Phe Thr Arg Asp Trp Leu Thr His Val Arg Asn Ala 245 250 255 Thr Gly Lys Glu Met Phe Ala Val Ala Glu Phe Trp Lys Asn Asp Leu 260 265 270 Gly Ala Leu Glu Asn Tyr Leu Asn Lys Thr Asn Trp Asn His Ser Val 275 280 285 Phe Asp Val Pro Leu His Tyr Asn Leu Tyr Asn Ala Ser Asn Ser Gly 290 295 300 Gly Asn Tyr Asp Met Ala Lys Leu Leu Asn Gly Thr Val Val Gln Lys 305 310 315 320 His Pro Met His Ala Val Thr Phe Val Asp Asn His Asp Ser Gln Pro 325 330 335 Gly Glu Ser Leu Glu Ser Phe Val Gln Glu Trp Phe Lys Pro Leu Ala 340 345 350 Tyr Ala Leu Ile Leu Thr Arg Glu Gln Gly Tyr Pro Ser Val Phe Tyr 355 360 365 Gly Asp Tyr Tyr Gly Ile Pro Thr His Ser Val Pro Ala Met Lys Ala 370 375 380 Lys Ile Asp Pro Ile Leu Glu Ala Arg Gln Asn Phe Ala Tyr Gly Thr 385 390 395 400 Gln His Asp Tyr Phe Asp His His Asn Ile Ile Gly Trp Thr Arg Glu 405 410 415 Gly Asn Thr Thr His Pro Asn Ser Gly Leu Ala Thr Ile Met Ser Asp 420 425 430 Gly Pro Gly Gly Glu Lys Trp Met Tyr Val Gly Gln Asn Lys Ala Gly 435 440 445 Gln Val Trp His Asp Ile Thr Gly Asn Lys Pro Gly Thr Val Thr Ile 450 455 460 Asn Ala Asp Gly Trp Ala Asn Phe Ser Val Asn Gly Gly Ser Val Ser 465 470 475 480 Ile Trp Val Lys Arg 485 9 1455 DNA Bacillus 9 catcataatg gaacaaatgg tactatgatg caatatttcg aatggtattt gccaaatgac 60 gggaatcatt ggaacaggtt gagggatgac gcagctaact taaagagtaa agggataaca 120 gctgtatgga tcccacctgc atggaagggg acttcccaga atgatgtagg ttatggagcc 180 tatgatttat atgatcttgg agagtttaac cagaagggga cggttcgtac aaaatatgga 240 acacgcaacc agctacaggc tgcggtgacc tctttaaaaa ataacggcat tcaggtatat 300 ggtgatgtcg tcatgaatca taaaggtgga gcagatggta cggaaattgt aaatgcggta 360 gaagtgaatc ggagcaaccg aaaccaggaa acctcaggag agtatgcaat agaagcgtgg 420 acaaagtttg attttcctgg aagaggaaat aaccattcca gctttaagtg gcgctggtat 480 cattttgatg ggacagattg ggatcagtca cgccagcttc aaaacaaaat atataaattc 540 aggggaacag gcaaggcctg ggactgggaa gtcgatacag agaatggcaa ctatgactat 600 cttatgtatg cagacgtgga tatggatcac ccagaagtaa tacatgaact tagaaactgg 660 ggagtgtggt atacgaatac actgaacctt gatggattta gaatagatgc agtgaaacat 720 ataaaatata gctttacgag agattggctt acacatgtgc gtaacaccac aggtaaacca 780 atgtttgcag tggctgagtt ttggaaaaat gaccttggtg caattgaaaa ctatttgaat 840 aaaacaagtt ggaatcactc ggtgtttgat gttcctctcc actataattt gtacaatgca 900 tctaatagcg gtggttatta tgatatgaga aatattttaa atggttctgt ggtgcaaaaa 960 catccaacac atgccgttac ttttgttgat aaccatgatt ctcagcccgg ggaagcattg 1020 gaatcctttg ttcaacaatg gtttaaacca cttgcatatg cattggttct gacaagggaa 1080 caaggttatc cttccgtatt ttatggggat tactacggta tcccaaccca tggtgttccg 1140 gctatgaaat ctaaaataga ccctcttctg caggcacgtc aaacttttgc ctatggtacg 1200 cagcatgatt actttgatca tcatgatatt atcggttgga caagagaggg aaatagctcc 1260 catccaaatt caggccttgc caccattatg tcagatggtc caggtggtaa caaatggatg 1320 tatgtgggga aaaataaagc gggacaagtt tggagagata ttaccggaaa taggacaggc 1380 accgtcacaa ttaatgcaga cggatggggt aatttctctg ttaatggagg gtccgtttcg 1440 gtttgggtga agcaa 1455 10 1455 DNA Bacillus sp. 10 catcataatg ggacaaatgg gacgatgatg caatactttg aatggcactt gcctaatgat 60 gggaatcact ggaatagatt aagagatgat gctagtaatc taagaaatag aggtataacc 120 gctatttgga ttccgcctgc ctggaaaggg acttcgcaaa atgatgtggg gtatggagcc 180 tatgatcttt atgatttagg ggaatttaat caaaagggga cggttcgtac taagtatggg 240 acacgtagtc aattggagtc tgccatccat gctttaaaga ataatggcgt tcaagtttat 300 ggggatgtag tgatgaacca taaaggagga gctgatgcta cagaaaacgt tcttgctgtc 360 gaggtgaatc caaataaccg gaatcaagaa atatctgggg actacacaat tgaggcttgg 420 actaagtttg attttccagg gaggggtaat acatactcag actttaaatg gcgttggtat 480 catttcgatg gtgtagattg ggatcaatca cgacaattcc aaaatcgtat ctacaaattc 540 cgaggtgatg gtaaggcatg ggattgggaa gtagattcgg aaaatggaaa ttatgattat 600 ttaatgtatg cagatgtaga tatggatcat ccggaggtag taaatgagct tagaagatgg 660 ggagaatggt atacaaatac attaaatctt gatggattta ggatcgatgc ggtgaagcat 720 attaaatata gctttacacg tgattggttg acccatgtaa gaaacgcaac gggaaaagaa 780 atgtttgctg ttgctgaatt ttggaaaaat gatttaggtg ccttggagaa ctatttaaat 840 aaaacaaact ggaatcattc tgtctttgat gtcccccttc attataatct ttataacgcg 900 tcaaatagtg gaggcaacta tgacatggca aaacttctta atggaacggt tgttcaaaag 960 catccaatgc atgccgtaac ttttgtggat aatcacgatt ctcaacctgg ggaatcatta 1020 gaatcatttg tacaagaatg gtttaagcca cttgcttatg cgcttatttt aacaagagaa 1080 caaggctatc cctctgtctt ctatggtgac tactatggaa ttccaacaca tagtgtccca 1140 gcaatgaaag ccaagattga tccaatctta gaggcgcgtc aaaattttgc atatggaaca 1200 caacatgatt attttgacca tcataatata atcggatgga cacgtgaagg aaataccacg 1260 catcccaatt caggacttgc gactatcatg tcggatgggc cagggggaga gaaatggatg 1320 tacgtagggc aaaataaagc aggtcaagtt tggcatgaca taactggaaa taaaccagga 1380 acagttacga tcaatgcaga tggatgggct aatttttcag taaatggagg atctgtttcc 1440 atttgggtga aacga 1455 11 1548 DNA Bacillus stearothermophilus 11 gccgcaccgt ttaacggcac catgatgcag tattttgaat ggtacttgcc ggatgatggc 60 acgttatgga ccaaagtggc caatgaagcc aacaacttat ccagccttgg catcaccgct 120 ctttggctgc cgcccgctta caaaggaaca agccgcagcg acgtagggta cggagtatac 180 gacttgtatg acctcggcga attcaatcaa aaagggaccg tccgcacaaa atacggaaca 240 aaagctcaat atcttcaagc cattcaagcc gcccacgccg ctggaatgca agtgtacgcc 300 gatgtcgtgt tcgaccataa aggcggcgct gacggcacgg aatgggtgga cgccgtcgaa 360 gtcaatccgt ccgaccgcaa ccaagaaatc tcgggcacct atcaaatcca agcatggacg 420 aaatttgatt ttcccgggcg gggcaacacc tactccagct ttaagtggcg ctggtaccat 480 tttgacggcg ttgattggga cgaaagccga aaattgagcc gcatttacaa attccgcggc 540 atcggcaaag cgtgggattg ggaagtagac acggaaaacg gaaactatga ctacttaatg 600 tatgccgacc ttgatatgga tcatcccgaa gtcgtgaccg agctgaaaaa ctgggggaaa 660 tggtatgtca acacaacgaa cattgatggg ttccggcttg atgccgtcaa gcatattaag 720 ttcagttttt ttcctgattg gttgtcgtat gtgcgttctc agactggcaa gccgctattt 780 accgtcgggg aatattggag ctatgacatc aacaagttgc acaattacat tacgaaaaca 840 gacggaacga tgtctttgtt tgatgccccg ttacacaaca aattttatac cgcttccaaa 900 tcagggggcg catttgatat gcgcacgtta atgaccaata ctctcatgaa agatcaaccg 960 acattggccg tcaccttcgt tgataatcat gacaccgaac ccggccaagc gctgcagtca 1020 tgggtcgacc catggttcaa accgttggct tacgccttta ttctaactcg gcaggaagga 1080 tacccgtgcg tcttttatgg tgactattat ggcattccac aatataacat tccttcgctg 1140 aaaagcaaaa tcgatccgct cctcatcgcg cgcagggatt atgcttacgg aacgcaacat 1200 gattatcttg atcactccga catcatcggg tggacaaggg aagggggcac tgaaaaacca 1260 ggatccggac tggccgcact gatcaccgat gggccgggag gaagcaaatg gatgtacgtt 1320 ggcaaacaac acgctggaaa agtgttctat gaccttaccg gcaaccggag tgacaccgtc 1380 accatcaaca gtgatggatg gggggaattc aaagtcaatg gcggttcggt ttcggtttgg 1440 gttcctagaa aaacgaccgt ttctaccatc gctcggccga tcacaacccg accgtggact 1500 ggtgaattcg tccgttggac cgaaccacgg ttggtggcat ggccttga 1548 12 1920 DNA Bacillus licheniformis CDS (421)...(1872) 12 cggaagattg gaagtacaaa aataagcaaa agattgtcaa tcatgtcatg agccatgcgg 60 gagacggaaa aatcgtctta atgcacgata tttatgcaac gttcgcagat gctgctgaag 120 agattattaa aaagctgaaa gcaaaaggct atcaattggt aactgtatct cagcttgaag 180 aagtgaagaa gcagagaggc tattgaataa atgagtagaa gcgccatatc ggcgcttttc 240 ttttggaaga aaatataggg aaaatggtac ttgttaaaaa ttcggaatat ttatacaaca 300 tcatatgttt cacattgaaa ggggaggaga atcatgaaac aacaaaaacg gctttacgcc 360 cgattgctga cgctgttatt tgcgctcatc ttcttgctgc ctcattctgc agcagcggcg 420 gca aat ctt aat ggg acg ctg atg cag tat ttt gaa tgg tac atg ccc 468 Ala Asn Leu Asn Gly Thr Leu Met Gln Tyr Phe Glu Trp Tyr Met Pro 1 5 10 15 aat gac ggc caa cat tgg agg cgt ttg caa aac gac tcg gca tat ttg 516 Asn Asp Gly Gln His Trp Arg Arg Leu Gln Asn Asp Ser Ala Tyr Leu 20 25 30 gct gaa cac ggt att act gcc gtc tgg att ccc ccg gca tat aag gga 564 Ala Glu His Gly Ile Thr Ala Val Trp Ile Pro Pro Ala Tyr Lys Gly 35 40 45 acg agc caa gcg gat gtg ggc tac ggt gct tac gac ctt tat gat tta 612 Thr Ser Gln Ala Asp Val Gly Tyr Gly Ala Tyr Asp Leu Tyr Asp Leu 50 55 60 ggg gag ttt cat caa aaa ggg acg gtt cgg aca aag tac ggc aca aaa 660 Gly Glu Phe His Gln Lys Gly Thr Val Arg Thr Lys Tyr Gly Thr Lys 65 70 75 80 gga gag ctg caa tct gcg atc aaa agt ctt cat tcc cgc gac att aac 708 Gly Glu Leu Gln Ser Ala Ile Lys Ser Leu His Ser Arg Asp Ile Asn 85 90 95 gtt tac ggg gat gtg gtc atc aac cac aaa ggc ggc gct gat gcg acc 756 Val Tyr Gly Asp Val Val Ile Asn His Lys Gly Gly Ala Asp Ala Thr 100 105 110 gaa gat gta acc gcg gtt gaa gtc gat ccc gct gac cgc aac cgc gta 804 Glu Asp Val Thr Ala Val Glu Val Asp Pro Ala Asp Arg Asn Arg Val 115 120 125 att tca gga gaa cac cta att aaa gcc tgg aca cat ttt cat ttt ccg 852 Ile Ser Gly Glu His Leu Ile Lys Ala Trp Thr His Phe His Phe Pro 130 135 140 ggg cgc ggc agc aca tac agc gat ttt aaa tgg cat tgg tac cat ttt 900 Gly Arg Gly Ser Thr Tyr Ser Asp Phe Lys Trp His Trp Tyr His Phe 145 150 155 160 gac gga acc gat tgg gac gag tcc cga aag ctg aac cgc atc tat aag 948 Asp Gly Thr Asp Trp Asp Glu Ser Arg Lys Leu Asn Arg Ile Tyr Lys 165 170 175 ttt caa gga aag gct tgg gat tgg gaa gtt tcc aat gaa aac ggc aac 996 Phe Gln Gly Lys Ala Trp Asp Trp Glu Val Ser Asn Glu Asn Gly Asn 180 185 190 tat gat tat ttg atg tat gcc gac atc gat tat gac cat cct gat gtc 1044 Tyr Asp Tyr Leu Met Tyr Ala Asp Ile Asp Tyr Asp His Pro Asp Val 195 200 205 gca gca gaa att aag aga tgg ggc act tgg tat gcc aat gaa ctg caa 1092 Ala Ala Glu Ile Lys Arg Trp Gly Thr Trp Tyr Ala Asn Glu Leu Gln 210 215 220 ttg gac ggt ttc cgt ctt gat gct gtc aaa cac att aaa ttt tct ttt 1140 Leu Asp Gly Phe Arg Leu Asp Ala Val Lys His Ile Lys Phe Ser Phe 225 230 235 240 ttg cgg gat tgg gtt aat cat gtc agg gaa aaa acg ggg aag gaa atg 1188 Leu Arg Asp Trp Val Asn His Val Arg Glu Lys Thr Gly Lys Glu Met 245 250 255 ttt acg gta gct gaa tat tgg cag aat gac ttg ggc gcg ctg gaa aac 1236 Phe Thr Val Ala Glu Tyr Trp Gln Asn Asp Leu Gly Ala Leu Glu Asn 260 265 270 tat ttg aac aaa aca aat ttt aat cat tca gtg ttt gac gtg ccg ctt 1284 Tyr Leu Asn Lys Thr Asn Phe Asn His Ser Val Phe Asp Val Pro Leu 275 280 285 cat tat cag ttc cat gct gca tcg aca cag gga ggc ggc tat gat atg 1332 His Tyr Gln Phe His Ala Ala Ser Thr Gln Gly Gly Gly Tyr Asp Met 290 295 300 agg aaa ttg ctg aac ggt acg gtc gtt tcc aag cat ccg ttg aaa tcg 1380 Arg Lys Leu Leu Asn Gly Thr Val Val Ser Lys His Pro Leu Lys Ser 305 310 315 320 gtt aca ttt gtc gat aac cat gat aca cag ccg ggg caa tcg ctt gag 1428 Val Thr Phe Val Asp Asn His Asp Thr Gln Pro Gly Gln Ser Leu Glu 325 330 335 tcg act gtc caa aca tgg ttt aag ccg ctt gct tac gct ttt att ctc 1476 Ser Thr Val Gln Thr Trp Phe Lys Pro Leu Ala Tyr Ala Phe Ile Leu 340 345 350 aca agg gaa tct gga tac cct cag gtt ttc tac ggg gat atg tac ggg 1524 Thr Arg Glu Ser Gly Tyr Pro Gln Val Phe Tyr Gly Asp Met Tyr Gly 355 360 365 acg aaa gga gac tcc cag cgc gaa att cct gcc ttg aaa cac aaa att 1572 Thr Lys Gly Asp Ser Gln Arg Glu Ile Pro Ala Leu Lys His Lys Ile 370 375 380 gaa ccg atc tta aaa gcg aga aaa cag tat gcg tac gga gca cag cat 1620 Glu Pro Ile Leu Lys Ala Arg Lys Gln Tyr Ala Tyr Gly Ala Gln His 385 390 395 400 gat tat ttc gac cac cat gac att gtc ggc tgg aca agg gaa ggc gac 1668 Asp Tyr Phe Asp His His Asp Ile Val Gly Trp Thr Arg Glu Gly Asp 405 410 415 agc tcg gtt gca aat tca ggt ttg gcg gca tta ata aca gac gga ccc 1716 Ser Ser Val Ala Asn Ser Gly Leu Ala Ala Leu Ile Thr Asp Gly Pro 420 425 430 ggt ggg gca aag cga atg tat gtc ggc cgg caa aac gcc ggt gag aca 1764 Gly Gly Ala Lys Arg Met Tyr Val Gly Arg Gln Asn Ala Gly Glu Thr 435 440 445 tgg cat gac att acc gga aac cgt tcg gag ccg gtt gtc atc aat tcg 1812 Trp His Asp Ile Thr Gly Asn Arg Ser Glu Pro Val Val Ile Asn Ser 450 455 460 gaa ggc tgg gga gag ttt cac gta aac ggc ggg tcg gtt tca att tat 1860 Glu Gly Trp Gly Glu Phe His Val Asn Gly Gly Ser Val Ser Ile Tyr 465 470 475 480 gtt caa aga tag aagagcagag aggacggatt tcctgaagga aatccgtttt 1912 Val Gln Arg tttatttt 1920 13 1455 DNA Bacillus sp. 13 catcataatg gaacaaatgg tactatgatg caatatttcg aatggtattt gccaaatgac 60 gggaatcatt ggaacaggtt gagggatgac gcagctaact taaagagtaa agggataaca 120 gctgtatgga tcccacctgc atggaagggg acttcccaga atgatgtagg ttatggagcc 180 tatgatttat atgatcttgg agagtttaac cagaagggga cggttcgtac aaaatatgga 240 acacgcaacc agctacaggc tgcggtgacc tctttaaaaa ataacggcat tcaggtatat 300 ggtgatgtcg tcatgaatca taaaggtgga gcagatggta cggaaattgt aaatgcggta 360 gaagtgaatc ggagcaaccg aaaccaggaa acctcaggag agtatgcaat agaagcgtgg 420 acaaagtttg attttcctgg aagaggaaat aaccattcca gctttaagtg gcgctggtat 480 cattttgatg ggacagattg ggatcagtca cgccagcttc aaaacaaaat atataaattc 540 aggggaacag gcaaggcctg ggactgggaa gtcgatacag agaatggcaa ctatgactat 600 cttatgtatg cagacgtgga tatggatcac ccagaagtaa tacatgaact tagaaactgg 660 ggagtgtggt atacgaatac actgaacctt gatggattta gaatagatgc agtgaaacat 720 ataaaatata gctttacgag agattggctt acacatgtgc gtaacaccac aggtaaacca 780 atgtttgcag tggctgagtt ttggaaaaat gaccttggtg caattgaaaa ctatttgaat 840 aaaacaagtt ggaatcactc ggtgtttgat gttcctctcc actataattt gtacaatgca 900 tctaatagcg gtggttatta tgatatgaga aatattttaa atggttctgt ggtgcaaaaa 960 catccaacac atgccgttac ttttgttgat aaccatgatt ctcagcccgg ggaagcattg 1020 gaatcctttg ttcaacaatg gtttaaacca cttgcatatg cattggttct gacaagggaa 1080 caaggttatc cttccgtatt ttatggggat tactacggta tcccaaccca tggtgttccg 1140 gctatgaaat ctaaaataga ccctcttctg caggcacgtc aaacttttgc ctatggtacg 1200 cagcatgatt actttgatca tcatgatatt atcggttgga caagagaggg aaatagctcc 1260 catccaaatt caggccttgc caccattatg tcagatggtc caggtggtaa caaatggatg 1320 tatgtgggga aaaataaagc gggacaagtt tggagagata ttaccggaaa taggacaggc 1380 accgtcacaa ttaatgcaga cggatggggt aatttctctg ttaatggagg gtccgtttcg 1440 gtttgggtga agcaa 1455 14 1455 DNA Bacillus sp. 14 catcataatg ggacaaatgg gacgatgatg caatactttg aatggcactt gcctaatgat 60 gggaatcact ggaatagatt aagagatgat gctagtaatc taagaaatag aggtataacc 120 gctatttgga ttccgcctgc ctggaaaggg acttcgcaaa atgatgtggg gtatggagcc 180 tatgatcttt atgatttagg ggaatttaat caaaagggga cggttcgtac taagtatggg 240 acacgtagtc aattggagtc tgccatccat gctttaaaga ataatggcgt tcaagtttat 300 ggggatgtag tgatgaacca taaaggagga gctgatgcta cagaaaacgt tcttgctgtc 360 gaggtgaatc caaataaccg gaatcaagaa atatctgggg actacacaat tgaggcttgg 420 actaagtttg attttccagg gaggggtaat acatactcag actttaaatg gcgttggtat 480 catttcgatg gtgtagattg ggatcaatca cgacaattcc aaaatcgtat ctacaaattc 540 cgaggtgatg gtaaggcatg ggattgggaa gtagattcgg aaaatggaaa ttatgattat 600 ttaatgtatg cagatgtaga tatggatcat ccggaggtag taaatgagct tagaagatgg 660 ggagaatggt atacaaatac attaaatctt gatggattta ggatcgatgc ggtgaagcat 720 attaaatata gctttacacg tgattggttg acccatgtaa gaaacgcaac gggaaaagaa 780 atgtttgctg ttgctgaatt ttggaaaaat gatttaggtg ccttggagaa ctatttaaat 840 aaaacaaact ggaatcattc tgtctttgat gtcccccttc attataatct ttataacgcg 900 tcaaatagtg gaggcaacta tgacatggca aaacttctta atggaacggt tgttcaaaag 960 catccaatgc atgccgtaac ttttgtggat aatcacgatt ctcaacctgg ggaatcatta 1020 gaatcatttg tacaagaatg gtttaagcca cttgcttatg cgcttatttt aacaagagaa 1080 caaggctatc cctctgtctt ctatggtgac tactatggaa ttccaacaca tagtgtccca 1140 gcaatgaaag ccaagattga tccaatctta gaggcgcgtc aaaattttgc atatggaaca 1200 caacatgatt attttgacca tcataatata atcggatgga cacgtgaagg aaataccacg 1260 catcccaatt caggacttgc gactatcatg tcggatgggc cagggggaga gaaatggatg 1320 tacgtagggc aaaataaagc aggtcaagtt tggcatgaca taactggaaa taaaccagga 1380 acagttacga tcaatgcaga tggatgggct aatttttcag taaatggagg atctgtttcc 1440 atttgggtga aacga 1455 15 60 DNA Artifiicial sequence primer 15 caaaatcgta tctacaaatt cmrkrsyarg dvktgggatt sggaagtaga ttcggaaaat 60 16 21 DNA Artificial Sequence Primer 16 gaatttgtag atacgatttt g 21 17 24 DNA Artificial Sequence Primer 17 cgattgctga cgctgttatt tgcg 24 18 24 DNA Artificial Sequence Primer 18 cttgttccct tgtcagaacc aatg 24 19 30 DNA Artificial Sequence Primer 19 gtcatagttg ccgaaatctg tatcgacttc 30 20 38 DNA Artificial Sequence Primer 20 cccagtccca cgtacgtccc ctgaatttat atattttg 38 21 38 DNA Artificial Sequence misc_feature (0)...(0) n on position 12 is 25% A, 25% C, 25% G, 25% T Primer 21 cccagtccca gntctttccc ctgaatttat atattttg 38 22 25 DNA Artificial Sequence Primer 22 gcgtggacaa agtttgattt tcctg 25 23 21 DNA Artificial Sequence Primer 23 cctaatgatg ggaatcactg g 21 24 24 DNA Artificial Sequence Primer 24 gcattggatg cttttgaaca accg 24 25 26 DNA Artificial Sequence Primer 25 cgcaaaatga tatcgggtat ggagcc 26 26 29 DNA Artificial Sequence Primer 26 gtgatgaacc acswaggtgg agctgatgc 29 27 30 DNA Artificial Sequence Primer 27 gatggtgtat ggrycaatca cgacaattcc 30 28 28 DNA Artificial Sequence Primer 28 ggtgtatggg ataactcacg acaattcc 28 29 28 DNA Artificial Sequence Primer 29 ggtgtatggg atctctcacg acaattcc 28 30 32 DNA Artificial Sequence Primer 30 gggatcaatc acgaaatttc caaaatcgta tc 32 31 32 DNA Artificial Sequence Primer 31 gggatcaatc acgactcttc caaaatcgta tc 32 32 34 DNA Artificial Sequence Primer 32 ggaaattatg attatatcat gtatgcagat gtag 34 33 30 DNA Artificial Sequence Primer 33 gctgaatttt ggtcgaatga tttaggtgcc 30 34 30 DNA Artificial Sequence Primer 34 gctgaatttt ggtcgaatga tttaggtgcc 30 35 27 DNA Artificial Sequence Primer 35 gaattttgga agtacgattt aggtcgg 27 36 29 DNA Artificial Sequence Primer 36 ggaaaaacga trycggtgcc ttggagaac 29 37 27 DNA Artificial Sequence Primer 37 gatttaggtg cctrycagaa ctattta 27 38 26 DNA Artificial Sequence Primer 38 cccccttcat gagaatcttt ataacg 26 39 25 DNA Artificial Sequence Primer 39 gaatccgaac ctcattacac attcg 25 40 28 DNA Artificial Sequence Primer 40 cggatggact cgagaaggaa ataccacg 28 41 31 DNA Artificial Sequence Primer 41 cgtagggcaa aatcaggccg gtcaagtttg g 31 42 31 DNA Artificial Sequence Primer 42 cataactgga aatcgcccgg gaacagttac g 31 43 26 DNA Artificial Sequence Primer 43 ctggaaataa awccggaaca gttacg 26 44 32 DNA Artificial Sequence Primer 44 ggaaataaac caggacccgt tacgatcaat gc 32 45 28 DNA Artificial Sequence Primer 45 gaggcttgga ctaggtttga ttttccag 28 46 30 DNA Artificial Sequence Primer 46 gctgaatttt ggcgcaatga tttaggtgcc 30 47 34 DNA Artificial Sequence Primer 47 gtgtttgacg tcccgcttca tgagaattta cagg 34 48 34 DNA Artificial Sequence Primer 48 gtgtttgacg tcccgcttca taagaattta cagg 34 49 34 DNA Artificial Sequence Primer 49 gtgtttgacg tcccgcttca tgccaattta cagg 34 50 32 DNA Artificial Sequence Primer 50 agggaatccg gataccctga ggttttctac gg 32 51 34 DNA Artificial Sequence Primer 51 gatgtggttt tggatcataa ggccggcgct gatg 34 52 22 DNA Artificial Sequence Primer 52 ctgttattaa tgccgccaaa cc 22 53 24 DNA Artificial Sequence Primer 53 ggaaaagaaa tgtttacggt tgcg 24 54 25 DNA Artificial Sequence Primer 54 gaaatgaagc ggaacatcaa acacg 25 55 20 DNA Artificial Sequence Primer 55 gtatgattta ggagaattcc 20 56 33 DNA Artificial Sequence Primer 56 ccagcgcgcc taggtcacgc tgccaatatt cag 33 57 33 DNA Artificial Sequence Primer 57 ccagcgcgcc taggtcatcc tgccaatatt cag 33 58 2084 DNA Bacillus amyloliquefaciens CDS (343)...(1794) 58 gccccgcaca tacgaaaaga ctggctgaaa acattgagcc tttgatgact gatgatttgg 60 ctgaagaagt ggatcgattg tttgagaaaa gaagaagacc ataaaaatac cttgtctgtc 120 atcagacagg gtatttttta tgctgtccag actgtccgct gtgtaaaaat aaggaataaa 180 ggggggttgt tattatttta ctgatatgta aaatataatt tgtataagaa aatgagaggg 240 agaggaaaca tgattcaaaa acgaaagcgg acagtttcgt tcagacttgt gcttatgtgc 300 acgctgttat ttgtcagttt gccgattaca aaaacatcag cc gta aat ggc acg 354 Val Asn Gly Thr 1 ctg atg cag tat ttt gaa tgg tat acg ccg aac gac ggc cag cat tgg 402 Leu Met Gln Tyr Phe Glu Trp Tyr Thr Pro Asn Asp Gly Gln His Trp 5 10 15 20 aaa cga ttg cag aat gat gcg gaa cat tta tcg gat atc gga atc act 450 Lys Arg Leu Gln Asn Asp Ala Glu His Leu Ser Asp Ile Gly Ile Thr 25 30 35 gcc gtc tgg att cct ccc gca tac aaa gga ttg agc caa tcc gat aac 498 Ala Val Trp Ile Pro Pro Ala Tyr Lys Gly Leu Ser Gln Ser Asp Asn 40 45 50 gga tac gga cct tat gat ttg tat gat tta gga gaa ttc cag caa aaa 546 Gly Tyr Gly Pro Tyr Asp Leu Tyr Asp Leu Gly Glu Phe Gln Gln Lys 55 60 65 ggg acg gtc aga acg aaa tac ggc aca aaa tca gag ctt caa gat gcg 594 Gly Thr Val Arg Thr Lys Tyr Gly Thr Lys Ser Glu Leu Gln Asp Ala 70 75 80 atc ggc tca ctg cat tcc cgg aac gtc caa gta tac gga gat gtg gtt 642 Ile Gly Ser Leu His Ser Arg Asn Val Gln Val Tyr Gly Asp Val Val 85 90 95 100 ttg aat cat aag gct ggt gct gat gca aca gaa gat gta act gcc gtc 690 Leu Asn His Lys Ala Gly Ala Asp Ala Thr Glu Asp Val Thr Ala Val 105 110 115 gaa gtc aat ccg gcc aat aga aat cag gaa act tcg gag gaa tat caa 738 Glu Val Asn Pro Ala Asn Arg Asn Gln Glu Thr Ser Glu Glu Tyr Gln 120 125 130 atc aaa gcg tgg acg gat ttt cgt ttt ccg ggc cgt gga aac acg tac 786 Ile Lys Ala Trp Thr Asp Phe Arg Phe Pro Gly Arg Gly Asn Thr Tyr 135 140 145 agt gat ttt aaa tgg cat tgg tat cat ttc gac gga gcg gac tgg gat 834 Ser Asp Phe Lys Trp His Trp Tyr His Phe Asp Gly Ala Asp Trp Asp 150 155 160 gaa tcc cgg aag atc agc cgc atc ttt aag ttt cgt ggg gaa gga aaa 882 Glu Ser Arg Lys Ile Ser Arg Ile Phe Lys Phe Arg Gly Glu Gly Lys 165 170 175 180 gcg tgg gat tgg gaa gta tca agt gaa aac ggc aac tat gac tat tta 930 Ala Trp Asp Trp Glu Val Ser Ser Glu Asn Gly Asn Tyr Asp Tyr Leu 185 190 195 atg tat gct gat gtt gac tac gac cac cct gat gtc gtg gca gag aca 978 Met Tyr Ala Asp Val Asp Tyr Asp His Pro Asp Val Val Ala Glu Thr 200 205 210 aaa aaa tgg ggt atc tgg tat gcg aat gaa ctg tca tta gac ggc ttc 1026 Lys Lys Trp Gly Ile Trp Tyr Ala Asn Glu Leu Ser Leu Asp Gly Phe 215 220 225 cgt att gat gcc gcc aaa cat att aaa ttt tca ttt ctg cgt gat tgg 1074 Arg Ile Asp Ala Ala Lys His Ile Lys Phe Ser Phe Leu Arg Asp Trp 230 235 240 gtt cag gcg gtc aga cag gcg acg gga aaa gaa atg ttt acg gtt gcg 1122 Val Gln Ala Val Arg Gln Ala Thr Gly Lys Glu Met Phe Thr Val Ala 245 250 255 260 gag tat tgg cag aat aat gcc ggg aaa ctc gaa aac tac ttg aat aaa 1170 Glu Tyr Trp Gln Asn Asn Ala Gly Lys Leu Glu Asn Tyr Leu Asn Lys 265 270 275 aca agc ttt aat caa tcc gtg ttt gat gtt ccg ctt cat ttc aat tta 1218 Thr Ser Phe Asn Gln Ser Val Phe Asp Val Pro Leu His Phe Asn Leu 280 285 290 cag gcg gct tcc tca caa gga ggc gga tat gat atg agg cgt ttg ctg 1266 Gln Ala Ala Ser Ser Gln Gly Gly Gly Tyr Asp Met Arg Arg Leu Leu 295 300 305 gac ggt acc gtt gtg tcc agg cat ccg gaa aag gcg gtt aca ttt gtt 1314 Asp Gly Thr Val Val Ser Arg His Pro Glu Lys Ala Val Thr Phe Val 310 315 320 gaa aat cat gac aca cag ccg gga cag tca ttg gaa tcg aca gtc caa 1362 Glu Asn His Asp Thr Gln Pro Gly Gln Ser Leu Glu Ser Thr Val Gln 325 330 335 340 act tgg ttt aaa ccg ctt gca tac gcc ttt att ttg aca aga gaa tcc 1410 Thr Trp Phe Lys Pro Leu Ala Tyr Ala Phe Ile Leu Thr Arg Glu Ser 345 350 355 ggt tat cct cag gtg ttc tat ggg gat atg tac ggg aca aaa ggg aca 1458 Gly Tyr Pro Gln Val Phe Tyr Gly Asp Met Tyr Gly Thr Lys Gly Thr 360 365 370 tcg cca aag gaa att ccc tca ctg aaa gat aat ata gag ccg att tta 1506 Ser Pro Lys Glu Ile Pro Ser Leu Lys Asp Asn Ile Glu Pro Ile Leu 375 380 385 aaa gcg cgt aag gag tac gca tac ggg ccc cag cac gat tat att gac 1554 Lys Ala Arg Lys Glu Tyr Ala Tyr Gly Pro Gln His Asp Tyr Ile Asp 390 395 400 cac ccg gat gtg atc gga tgg acg agg gaa ggt gac agc tcc gcc gcc 1602 His Pro Asp Val Ile Gly Trp Thr Arg Glu Gly Asp Ser Ser Ala Ala 405 410 415 420 aaa tca ggt ttg gcc gct tta atc acg gac gga ccc ggc gga tca aag 1650 Lys Ser Gly Leu Ala Ala Leu Ile Thr Asp Gly Pro Gly Gly Ser Lys 425 430 435 cgg atg tat gcc ggc ctg aaa aat gcc ggc gag aca tgg tat gac ata 1698 Arg Met Tyr Ala Gly Leu Lys Asn Ala Gly Glu Thr Trp Tyr Asp Ile 440 445 450 acg ggc aac cgt tca gat act gta aaa atc gga tct gac ggc tgg gga 1746 Thr Gly Asn Arg Ser Asp Thr Val Lys Ile Gly Ser Asp Gly Trp Gly 455 460 465 gag ttt cat gta aac gat ggg tcc gtc tcc att tat gtt cag aaa taa 1794 Glu Phe His Val Asn Asp Gly Ser Val Ser Ile Tyr Val Gln Lys 470 475 480 ggtaataaaa aaacacctcc aagctgagtg cgggtatcag cttggaggtg cgtttatttt 1854 ttcagccgta tgacaaggtc ggcatcaggt gtgacaaata cggtatgctg gctgtcatag 1914 gtgacaaatc cgggttttgc gccgtttggc tttttcacat gtctgatttt tgtataatca 1974 acaggcacgg agccggaatc tttcgccttg gaaaaataag cggcgatcgt agctgcttcc 2034 aatatggatt gttcatcggg atcgctgctt ttaatcacaa cgtgggatcc 2084 

What is claimed is:
 1. A variant of a parent Termamyl-like α-amylase, wherein said variant has α-amylase activity and comprises one or more mutations at a position corresponding to a position in the amino acid sequence shown in SEQ ID NO: 2 selected from the group consisting of: T141, F143, G109, G456, K458, and P459.
 2. The variant according to claim 1, wherein said mutation is selected from the group consisting of: T141A,D,R,N,C,E,Q,G,H,I,L,K,M,F,P,S,W,Y,V; F143A,D,R,N,C,E,Q,G,H,I,L,K,M,P,S,T,W,Y,V; G109A,D,R,N,C,E,Q,H,I,L,K,M,F,P,S,T,W,Y,V; G456A,D,R,N,C,E,Q,H,I,L,K,M,F,P,S,T,W,Y,V; K458A,D,R,N,C,E,Q,G,H,I,L,M,F,P,S,T,W,Y,V; and P459A,D,R,N,C,E,Q,G,H,I,L,K,M,F,S,T,W,Y,V.
 3. The variant according to claim 2, wherein said mutation is selected from the group consisting of: K458R and P459T.
 4. The variant according to claim 1, wherein the variant comprises (i) a deletion in position D183+G184, and (ii) at least one mutation selected from the group consisting of: K458R and P459T.
 5. The variant according to claim 1, wherein said variant exhibits improved stability at pH 8 to 10.5.
 6. The variant according to claim 5, wherein said mutation is selected from the group consisting of: T141A,D,R,N,C,E,Q,G,H,I,L,K,M,F,P,S,W,Y,V; F143A,D,R,N,C,E,Q,G,H,I,L,K,M,P,S,T,W,Y,V; K458A,D,R,N,C,E,Q,G,H,I,L,M,F,P,S,T,W,Y,V; and P459A,D,R,N,C,E,Q,G,H,I,L,K,M,F,S,T,W,Y,V.
 7. The variant according to claim 6, wherein said mutation is selected from the group consisting of: K458R and P459T.
 8. The variant according to claim 1, wherein said variant exhibits improved Ca²⁺ stability at pH 8 to 10.5.
 9. The variant according to claim 8, wherein said mutation is selected from the group consistng of: K458A,R,D,N,C,E,Q,G,H,I,L,M,F,P,S,T,W,Y,V; and P459A,R,D,N,C,E,Q,G,H,I,L,K,M,F,S,T,W,Y,V.
 10. The variant according to claim 1, wherein said mutation is selected from the group consisting of: K458R and P459T.
 11. A variant according to claim 1, wherein the parent Termamyl-like α-amylase is selected from the group consisting of: the Bacillus strain NCIB 12512 α-amylase having the sequence shown in SEQ ID NO: 1; the B. amyloliquefaciens α-amylase having the sequence shown in SEQ ID NO: 5; and the B. licheniformis α-amylase having the sequence shown in SEQ ID NO:
 4. 12. The variant according to claim 1, wherein said variant exhibits increased specific activity at a temperatures from 10 to 60° C. and comprises at least one mutation at a position corresponding to a position in SEQ ID NO:2 selected from the group consisting of: G109, G456, K458, and P459.
 13. The variant according to claim 12, wherein said mutation is selected from the group consisting of: G109A,D,R,N,C,E,Q,H,I,L,K,M,F,P,S,T,W,Y,V; G456A,D,R,N,C,E,Q,H,I,L,K,M,F,P,S,T,W,Y,V; K458A,D,R,N,C,E,Q,G,H,I,L,M,F,P,S,T,W,Y,V; and P459A,D,R,N,C,E,Q,G,H,I,L,K,M,F,S,T,W,Y,V.
 14. The variant according to claim 12, wherein the parent Termamyl-like α-amylase is the B. licheniformis α-amylase having the sequence shown in SEQ ID NO:
 4. 15. A detergent additive comprising an α-amylase variant according to claim 1, optionally in the form of a non-dusting granulate, stabilized liquid or protected enzyme.
 16. A detergent composition comprising an α-amylase variant according to claim
 1. 17. A manual or automatic dishwashing detergent composition comprising an α-amylase variant according to claim
 1. 18. A dishwashing detergent composition according to claim 17 further comprising an enzyme selected from the group consisting of a protease, a lipase, a peroxidase, another amylolytic enzyme and a cellulase.
 19. A manual or automatic laundry washing composition comprising an α-amylase variant according to claim
 1. 20. The variant according to claim 1, wherein said mutation is at a position corresponding to position T141 in the amino acid sequence shown in SEQ ID NO:
 2. 21. The variant according to claim 1, wherein said mutation is at a position corresponding to position F143 in the amino acid sequence shown in SEQ ID NO:
 2. 22. The variant according to claim 1, wherein said mutation is at a position corresponding to position G109 in the amino acid sequence shown in SEQ ID NO:
 2. 23. The variant according to claim 1, wherein said mutation is at a position corresponding to position G456 in the amino acid sequence shown in SEQ ID NO:
 2. 24. The variant according to claim 1, wherein said mutation is at a position corresponding to position K458 in the amino acid sequence shown in SEQ ID NO.
 2. 25. The variant according to claim 1, wherein said mutation is at a position corresponding to position P459 in the amino acid sequence shown in SEQ ID NO.
 2. 26. The variant according to claim 2, wherein said mutation is selected from the group consisting of T141A,D,R,N,C,E,Q,G,H,I,L,K,M,F,P,S,W,Y, and V.
 27. The variant according to claim 2, wherein said mutation is selected from the group consisting of F143A,D,R,N,C,E,Q,G,H,I,L,K,M,P,S,T,W,Y, and V.
 28. The variant according to claim 2, wherein said mutation is selected from the group consisting of G109A,D,R,N,C,E,Q,H,I,L,K,M,F,P,S,T,W,Y, and V.
 29. The variant according to claim 2, wherein said mutation is selected from the group consisting of 0456A,D,R,N,C,E,Q,H,I,L,K,M,F,P,S,T,W,Y, and V.
 30. The variant according to claim 2, wherein said mutation is selected from the group consisting of K458A,D,R,N,C,E,Q,G,H,I,L,M,F,P,S,T,W,Y, and V.
 31. The variant according to claim 2, wherein said mutation is selected from the group consisting of P459A,D,R,N,C,E,Q,G,H,I,L,K,M,F,S,T,W,Y, and V. 